Failure to Educate Resident on Mouth Rinsing After Corticosteroid Inhaler Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a medication was administered according to professional standards of practice for one resident receiving a corticosteroid inhaler. The Symbicort prescribing information and the physician’s order both specified that the resident should rinse her mouth with water and spit after inhalation to reduce the risk of localized Candida albicans infection in the mouth and throat. Resident #29, who had a diagnosis of asthma and an order for Symbicort two puffs orally twice daily with mouth rinsing afterward, was observed taking two puffs from her inhaler and returning it to the LPN. After administering the inhaler, LPN #1 told the resident she would get her some water, but when the resident stated she did not need the water, the LPN left without providing education on the importance of rinsing her mouth after using the inhaler. In a subsequent interview, LPN #1 acknowledged that the resident did not want the water and admitted she should have educated the resident about rinsing her mouth but did not do so. The Resource Nurse and the DON also stated that the resident should have been educated to rinse her mouth after using the inhaler.
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