Failure to Provide Safe Tracheostomy and Respiratory Care Resulting in Resident Deaths
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide safe and appropriate respiratory and tracheostomy care in accordance with physician orders, professional standards, and resident-specific limitations. For one ventilator-dependent resident with chronic respiratory failure, tracheostomy status, pneumonia, anoxic brain damage, and documented subglottic and proximal tracheal stenosis, hospital records indicated that ENT had changed the trach in the OR and recommended trach changes every three months instead of monthly, and advised against trialing a Passy Muir Valve. A nurse practitioner note directed continued trach care per RT protocol with ENT follow-up for the stenosis. The DON reported seeing a provider note indicating the trach should be changed every three months, but this order was never entered into the medical record. The prior standing order to change the trach every 45 days had been converted to every 30 days by the contracted respiratory company, and then the trach change order dropped off the MAR in January, leaving no active order for trach changes at the time of the resident’s death. On the day of the event, RT documentation earlier in the day described the resident as alert and oriented, on a ventilator with an XLT cuffed, non-fenestrated size 7 trach, with the trach midline, secure, and patent, and no signs of respiratory distress. Later, an RT note documented that the RT performed a trach change because the resident reported the trach was too tight that morning. The RT pre-oxygenated the resident and recorded stable SpO2 and HR before the attempt. During removal and reinsertion of the trach tube, resistance was encountered and insertion was unsuccessful; a smaller trach was then attempted and also could not be inserted. The resident developed acute respiratory distress with pallor and cyanosis, oxygen saturation dropped, and a code blue was initiated. Nursing documentation corroborated that during the attempted trach change, resistance was met twice, the resident became cyanotic with decreasing oxygen saturation, and CPR was initiated after the resident was found unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. EMS continued resuscitative efforts, and the resident was pronounced dead. Interviews revealed that RT 1 believed the resident’s complaint of tightness meant the trach needed to be changed immediately, pushed a partially dislodged trach back in earlier that morning, and then proceeded with a trach change despite the resident not being in distress and the trach being described as secure, patent, and midline. RT 2 stated he was unaware the trach was not supposed to be changed and had never changed a vented patient’s trach before. RT 3 stated there were instructions that the resident’s trach was not to be changed until seen by ENT, and that he had seen the resident’s name on a whiteboard with an “ENT only” notation. The RT Director stated she had received a verbal order that the trach should be changed only by ENT unless emergent, but this was not entered into the chart and was only communicated verbally and on a whiteboard. A second resident with anoxic brain damage, acute and chronic respiratory failure, tracheostomy status, and pneumonia due to pseudomonas experienced a fatal event related to a broken trach flange and trach displacement. A late-entry RT note documented that during first rounds at night, the RT found the trach tube broken and dislodged from the flange, with the tube about 1.5 inches out of position and deviated from midline. The RT called a nurse and another RT to assist, removed the old tube, and inserted a new Shiley XLT 6 that had been tested and lubricated. During suctioning, a significant amount of blood was observed, and repeated suction passes continued to remove blood. The SpO2 alarm indicated low oxygen saturation, the resident was disconnected from the ventilator for manual bagging, and SpO2 did not improve. A pulse check revealed no pulse, the resident was transferred to the floor, a smaller XLT 5 trach was placed without resistance, and manual ventilation and chest compressions continued until EMS arrived, but the resident could not be revived. A nursing late entry confirmed that the RT showed the nurse the broken trach, that vital signs were stable before the change, and that copious bleeding occurred during the trach change, followed by code blue and unsuccessful resuscitation. RT 4 reported that the trach was broken at the flange and deviated at a 45-degree angle, that the ventilator was not alarming despite the deviation, that the resident’s lips appeared cyanotic with SpO2 below 90%, and that he changed the trach to restore a patent airway. He described large amounts of frank blood and mucus on suctioning and believed the airway was filled with blood. RT 4 also reported concerns about ventilator alarms, pulse oximeters, alarm cables, and lack of needed supplies prior to the current RT Director’s tenure, and stated he had asked repeatedly for alarms, pulse oximeters, and cables. A third resident with quadriplegia, anoxic brain damage, and chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia and hypercapnia had orders related to BiPAP/ventilator use, including checking body positioning, nasal cannula placement, and BiPAP vent settings with humidity. The overall deficiency cited that staff did not follow physician orders for changing tracheostomies, did not obtain needed consultations with outside providers, did not accurately document resident condition prior to trach changes, and did not initiate hospital transfer when there were concerns about trach integrity. Staff interviews revealed knowledge of faulty trach equipment, including broken flanges that caused trach dislodgement, and that one resident with a broken flange and dislodged trach went into cardiac arrest and died. Additionally, another resident with displaced BiPAP was found unresponsive, CPR was initiated, and the resident could not be resuscitated and died. These failures in respiratory and tracheostomy care for multiple residents resulted in findings of immediate jeopardy for two of the residents.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
Missing Oxygen Order and Improper Nebulizer Storage: A resident receiving oxygen for sleep apnea had no physician order specifying the oxygen delivery rate, even though staff were setting the rate. In a separate observation, a resident’s nebulizer mask was left unbagged on the nightstand while not in use. An LPN and the DON both stated respiratory equipment should be stored in a bag when not in use, and the facility policy required bagged storage between uses.
Respiratory care was not provided in accordance with standards for several residents receiving oxygen and nebulizer treatments. Staff observed outdated oxygen tubing and humidification equipment, a nebulizer mouthpiece left out with tubing touching the floor, and oxygen supplies not stored properly. One resident’s oxygen was running at a higher flow than ordered, and staff confirmed the tubing and humidification items should be changed weekly and documented.
Improper Storage and Dating of Oxygen and CPAP Equipment: Two residents had oxygen equipment and CPAP items observed out of proper storage, including nasal cannula tubing on the floor, undated or empty humidifiers, and a CPAP mask on the floor. One resident had OSA with an order for oxygen at bedtime and as needed, and the other had COPD with orders for nightly CPAP and continuous oxygen. Staff stated the tubing, humidifier, and CPAP mask should be stored and dated per facility practice, and the facility policy required weekly changes and dating of oxygen equipment.
A resident receiving continuous O2 via nasal cannula had the cannula found on the floor while the concentrator was running. A CNA placed the cannula back on the resident’s face before an LVN identified it as contaminated and replaced the cannula and tubing. The resident had diagnoses including hypertensive heart disease and atherosclerotic heart disease, and the care plan called for O2 at 2 L/min to maintain O2 sats above 92%.
A resident with COPD, a respiratory infection, continuous O2, and CPAP therapy had CPAP and nasal cannula tubing observed lying on the bed and the CPAP mask draped over the machine instead of being stored in a sanitary container. Staff interviews showed inconsistent understanding of how to store the respiratory equipment, and the facility did not provide the requested storage of the equipment when not in use.
Respiratory equipment was not properly changed, labeled, or stored for a resident receiving nebulizer treatment. An undated aerosol mask attached to a nebulizer was observed on the resident’s nightstand, open to air, and remained there on a later observation. An LPN confirmed the mask was open to air and not stored properly, and the DON confirmed the mask and tubing had not been dated or stored properly.
Missing Oxygen Order and Improper Nebulizer Storage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that Resident #11’s oxygen delivery rate was specified in the clinical record. Resident #11 was observed semi reclined in bed receiving oxygen from a concentrator via nasal cannula at 2 liters per minute. The resident’s care plan, initiated 1/2/2026, identified risk for complications related to sleep apnea and included oxygen as needed to promote lung expansion and improve air exchange, with positioning at 45 degrees if tolerated. The physician orders included oxygen-related maintenance and respiratory orders for oxygen at night for sleep apnea, but the clinical record did not contain a physician’s order establishing the ordered oxygen delivery rate. An LPN confirmed the record did not show an ordered delivery rate, and the DON agreed the oxygen delivery rate should be included as a physician’s order. The facility also failed to ensure nebulizer equipment was properly stored for Resident #85. During observations, a nebulizer mask was seen lying on top of the nightstand and was not bagged while the resident was sitting in a wheelchair and later while lying in bed with eyes closed. Resident #85 had physician orders for levalbuterol nebulization every 8 hours and ipratropium-albuterol inhalation solution every 6 hours as needed for shortness of breath. An LPN stated the nebulizer mask and oxygen tubing should be stored in a bag when not in use, and the DON stated the nebulizer mask and tubing should be stored in a dated bag when not in use. The facility policy stated oxygen cannula and tubing used PRN should be kept in a plastic bag when not in use, and nebulizer circuits should be stored in a plastic bag marked with the date and resident’s name between uses.
Respiratory equipment was not maintained and stored per standards
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow professional standards of practice for oxygen and nebulizer treatments for four residents receiving respiratory services. During observations, Resident #56 was receiving continuous oxygen at 4 liters per minute by nasal cannula, and the tubing was dated 5/22 even though staff stated the tubing should be changed weekly on Thursdays. The DON confirmed oxygen tubing is changed weekly. Resident #56’s physician order dated 4/2/2026 ordered continuous oxygen at 4 liters nasal cannula. Resident #29 was observed with oxygen via nasal cannula connected to an oxygen concentrator with a humidification/water bottle dated 5/17/26, and the same date was observed again the next day. Her orders included continuous oxygen at 2 liters and weekly change of tubing, mask, and/or nasal cannula, but there was no order for humidification related to her oxygen and no MAR/TAR entry for humidification. Staff stated the humidification bottles should be changed weekly and at the same time as the tubing, and the DON stated there should be an order for humidification and that tubing and humidification bottles should be documented on the TAR. Resident #55’s nebulizer setup was observed with inhalation tubing hanging from the machine, with the distal tip touching the floor, and the mouthpiece sitting on the bedside table instead of in a plastic storage container. Resident #88 was observed with an oxygen concentrator running at 4.5 liters per minute, while the physician order was for 2 liters continuous; the oxygen cannula was wrapped around the bedside rail and not stored in a bag. The unit manager stated oxygen supplies should be stored in a dated plastic bag and the mouthpiece should not be left on the bedside table.
Improper Storage and Dating of Oxygen and CPAP Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The provider failed to ensure infection control practices were followed for oxygen equipment for two residents. One resident had obstructive sleep apnea and an order for oxygen at 3 L by nasal cannula at bedtime and as needed; observations showed the nasal cannula tubing on the floor and not dated, and the pre-filled humidifier was not dated. The resident’s June 2026 TAR did not indicate when the nurse was to change the oxygen tubing. Another resident had COPD and orders for nightly CPAP use and continuous oxygen at 2 L. Observations showed the oxygen concentrator in the room, the nasal cannula tubing dated but later found on the floor, the pre-filled humidifier empty and not dated, and the CPAP mask on the floor between the bed and nightstand. Staff interviews stated the oxygen tubing should be stored in a bag or in the bedside table drawer when not in use, the CPAP mask should be stored on the CPAP machine, and the tubing and humidifier should be dated when changed. The facility policies stated oxygen tubing and nasal cannula/mask were to be changed weekly, the tubing should be changed when found lying on the floor, and the humidifier bottle should be replaced weekly and as needed with date and initials.
Contaminated oxygen tubing was placed back on a resident
Penalty
Summary
Resident #7, a female admitted on 05/14/2026 with diagnoses including hypertensive heart disease and atherosclerotic heart disease, was ordered to receive oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula continuously every shift. Her MDS indicated that she was rarely/never understood and received oxygen therapy, and her care plan addressed impaired gas exchange related to respiratory failure with oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula to maintain O2 saturations above 92%. During observation on 06/01/2026, Resident #7 was in bed with the head of bed elevated about 30 degrees. The oxygen concentrator was running at 2 L/min, but the tubing was above her head and the nasal cannula was lying on the floor. CNA C picked up the cannula from the floor and placed it back on the resident’s face. LVN A then entered the room and stated the cannula was contaminated and immediately changed it out. CNA C stated she had put the cannula back on because she did not think it had touched the floor, but also acknowledged that it could be contaminated and cause infection if it touched the floor. LVN A stated the cannula and tubing were changed because they had touched the floor and were contaminated. The DON stated the expectation was that tubing or a nasal cannula on the floor are to be changed out to prevent infection.
Respiratory Equipment Not Stored Sanitarily
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate respiratory care and services for a resident with COPD, diabetes mellitus, major depressive disorder, and neuromuscular dysfunction of the bladder who also had a respiratory infection and was receiving continuous oxygen and CPAP therapy. The resident’s MDS documented intact cognition, lower-body extremity impairment, and dependence on staff for toileting, bathing, and dressing, with setup or cleanup assistance needed for eating and oral hygiene. The care plan and physician orders directed staff to assist with CPAP application every bedtime, ensure oxygen was connected at 3 L/min, clean the CPAP mask daily, and store the CPAP equipment in a bag or enclosed storage when not in use. During observations, the resident’s CPAP and nasal oxygen tubing were found laid on the bed, and the CPAP mask was observed draped over the CPAP machine on the bedside table, with the respiratory equipment not stored in a sanitary container. A CNA stated the equipment should be stored in a bag and pulled shut, while an LPN stated she was unsure how the equipment should be stored and said respiratory staff handled respiratory issues during the day. An administrative nurse stated all respiratory equipment should be placed in a bag when not in use and that all staff could place the equipment in the bags. The facility did not provide storage of respiratory equipment as requested.
Respiratory Equipment Not Properly Labeled or Stored
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide respiratory care consistent with professional standards for one resident by not ensuring respiratory equipment was properly changed, labeled, and stored. The resident had an admission date of 04/20/2023 and diagnoses including iron deficiency anemia, morbid obesity, diffuse traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, and unspecified convulsions. On 06/01/2026, an undated aerosol mask attached to a nebulizer machine was observed on the resident’s nightstand, open to air. The resident had an order for ipratropium-albuterol solution, 1 vial inhaled orally four times a day for wheezing and cough for 5 days, with a start date of 05/28/2026. On 06/02/2026, the same aerosol mask remained on the nightstand, open to air. An LPN confirmed the mask was open to air and not labeled or stored properly, and the DON confirmed the aerosol mask and tubing had not been dated or stored properly.
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