Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, resident and staff interviews, clinical record review and facility policy and procedure review, the facility failed to ensure that three (Resident #59, #62 and #85) of five residents on oxygen therapy, had a physician's order for oxygen use, and failed to administer oxygen at the ordered flow rate for one (Resident #197) of five residents reviewed for oxygen use, from a total of 42 residents in the sample. This could result in the resident not receiving appropriate care and/or clinical complications.
The findings include:
1. A review of Resident #59's medical record noted an admission date of 7/7/21 with diagnosis that included: acute kidney failure, chronic atrial fib, pacemaker, venous insufficiency PVD, diabetes, HTN, urethral stricture, depression, panic disorder. A review of physician's orders for Resident #59 revealed no order for the use of oxygen.
On 9/7/21 at 2:35 PM, Resident #59 was observed receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 liters per minute (lpm) via oxygen concentrator.
On 9/8/21 at 1:30 PM and again on 9/9/21 at 10:12 AM, Resident #59 was observed receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 lpm via oxygen concentrator
During an interview on 9/9/21 at 2:20 PM, Employee I, LPN was asked what the oxygen order was for Resident #59. She said, he was currently receiving 2 liters, but she would review the orders. After reviewing the orders, she said, she did not find the oxygen order in the chart. She was asked where oxygen administration was documented, and she replied, in the MAR. When asked if oxygen was documented on the MAR for Resident #59, she reviewed the MAR and said the order was not there. She was asked how long Resident #59 had been receiving oxygen, she said, he had it when he was transferred over from the north wing about a month ago.
A review of the hospital transfer form dated 7/3/21 found no order for oxygen.
A review of the medication record from the hospital dated 7/7/21 did not include an order for oxygen.
A review of the APRN initial visit upon admission on [DATE] found no documentation regarding the need for oxygen or that resident had requested oxygen.
A review of Resident #59's care plan revealed the use of oxygen was not addressed.
During an interview with the unit manager on 9/9/21 at 2:30 PM, she confirmed Resident #59 did not have a physician's order for oxygen and he was not care planned for oxygen use.
On 9/9/21 at 2:58 PM, Employee I, LPN reported that she called the APRN regarding Resident #59's oxygen order. The APRN told her that yesterday when she visited the resident, he requested to have oxygen because he felt better with it on. The APRN gave a new order for oxygen 2 liters as needed.
2. On 9/7/21 at 3:39 PM, Resident #62 was observed in his room. He was receiving oxygen via nasal cannula and his room concentrator was running and set at 2.5 liters per minute (lpm). Resident #62 confirmed that his oxygen was supposed to be set at 2.5 lpm.
A review of Resident #62's medical record noted an admission date of 7/29/21 with diagnosis that included: medically complex conditions, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A review of physician's orders for Resident #62 revealed no order for the use of oxygen. (Photographic evidence obtained)
A review of the admission/5-day minimum data set (MDS) assessment dated [DATE] revealed Resident #62 had a brief interview for mental status (BIMS) score of 13, indicating cognitively intact.
Resident #62 was care planned on 7/29/21 for his multiple medical conditions; however, the care plan did not address the use of oxygen. (Photographic evidence was obtained)
On 9/8/21 at 12:43 PM, Resident #62 was observed in his room eating lunch. His oxygen concentrator was running and set at a flow rate of 2.5 lpm, with his nasal cannula out of his nose. Resident #62 stated the cannula was off so he could eat.
During an observation and interview with Resident #62 on 9/9/21 at 9:10 AM, his oxygen concentrator was running and set at a delivery rate of 2.5 lpm. His nasal cannula was not in place. Resident #62 stated, he was having no difficulty breathing, but that he sometimes did. That was why he used oxygen. He then put his nasal cannula back in place.
During an interview on 9/9/21 at 9:31 AM with Employee F, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), she stated that Resident #62 used oxygen continuously and the nurse sets the oxygen flow rate.
On 9/10/21 at 8:53 AM, Resident #62 was observed in his room watching television. His oxygen concentrator was running at a flow rate of 2.5 lpm with nasal cannula in place.
A review of a nursing progress note dated 8/20/21, reported Resident #62 had oxygen in place at 2 lpm with nasal cannula. On 8/22/21, a progress note reported the resident's oxygen level was running a bit low and the Nurse Practitioner was notified. No orders were received. A progress note dated 9/5/21, stated Resident #62 was on oxygen.
During an interview on 9/9/21 at 10:45 AM with Employee G, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), she reported Resident #62 experienced shortness of breath when he got up to go to the restroom. This morning his oxygen saturation rates were 99%. When told Resident #62 had been receiving oxygen since admission without an order until this morning, she looked up inquisitively and checked the order. Employee G confirmed there had been no order up to today. She did not know why. She said, That's weird explaining that doesn't seem right. Normally there is an order for oxygen.
The physician's orders for Resident #62 were reviewed again and revealed the north wing Unit Manager had entered an order into Resident #62's electronic record on 9/9/21 for oxygen at 2 lpm via nasal cannula.
On 9/10/21 at 8:53 AM, Resident #62 was observed in his room, with his cannula in place and the concentrator flow rate running at 2.5 lpm.
3. On 9/07/21 at 3:34 PM, Resident #85 was observed in the activities room with a portable oxygen tank. The resident was wearing a nasal cannula and oxygen flow rate was set at 2 lpm. (Photographic evidence was obtained)
A review of Resident #85's medical record noted an admission date of 2/9/21 with diagnosis that included: hypertension, anxiety, depression, embolism and thrombosis of superficial veins of the right upper extremity, and failure to thrive. Resident was noted to have shortness of breath with exertion and when lying flat and was assessed to receive oxygen while a resident of the facility. A review of physician's orders for Resident #85 revealed no order for the use of oxygen.
A review of the quarterly MDS assessment dated [DATE] revealed Resident #85 had a BIMS score of 10, indicating moderate cognitive impairment with limited assistance from staff with activities of daily living.
Resident #85 was care planned on 8/23/21 for her multiple conditions and medical diagnoses including for respiratory complications related to pneumonia. Interventions included oxygen, as ordered.
On 9/8/21 at 12:54 PM, Resident #85 was observed in the north unit television (TV) room with her oxygen tank. She was wearing a nasal cannula and oxygen flow rate was set at 2 lpm.
On 9/9/21 at 9:23 AM, Resident #85 was observed again in TV area on the north unit. She was receiving oxygen via her portable tank at 2 lpm.
During an interview on 9/9/21 at 11:14 AM with Employee C, Registered Nurse (RN), she stated Resident #85 received continuous oxygen at 2 lpm and used a portable tank frequently, as she was up a lot.
On 9/9/21 at 2:44 PM, Resident #85 was observed in the activities area. Her nasal cannula was in place and the tank set at 2 lpm, however the portable tank was empty. (Photographic evidence obtained). When asked if she was having any trouble breathing, resident stated, Yes, I need oxygen. She was asked if she could tell if there was any oxygen flowing from her nasal cannula. She closed her mouth, breathed through her nose, and said, No.
During an interview on 9/9/21 at 4:17 PM with Employee K, RN, he stated the oxygen flow rate instructions for all residents is in the care plan and in the physician's orders.
On 9/9/21, the north wing unit manager added a physician's order into Resident #85's electronic record for oxygen at 2 lpm via nasal cannula for comfort as needed.
On 9/10/21 at 8:52 AM, Resident #85 was observed in bed with her eyes closed. She was receiving oxygen via nasal cannula and concentrator at 2.5 lpm instead of the ordered 2 lpm. (Photographic evidence was obtained).
During an interview on 9/10/21 at 11:18 AM, the north wing unit manager was asked about Resident #85's oxygen. He stated there would be a physician's order for any oxygen use. On admission, the nursing staff would look at the hospital records and take the order off from there. He was advised Resident #85 had been receiving oxygen throughout the survey without an order. He was asked how nurses across 3 shifts daily could continue to assist with oxygen use, settings and portable tanks and not question that there was no order for oxygen. He reviewed the electronic record and said Resident #85 had an order in the past, but it was discontinued in March 2021. He had no explanation as to why the oxygen was administered ongoing without an order and no explanation as to how nursing staff knew what flow rate to provide Resident #85. When told of the observation of the incorrect flow rate on 9/10/21, after the order was obtained, he stated his nurses are trained to get down at eye level to read the flow rate gage on the concentrators. He stated that his expectation would be to set the flow rate per the physician's order unless otherwise specified.
4. On 9/7/21 at 11:01 AM, Resident #197 was observed in her room receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2.5 lpm.
A review of Resident #197's medical record noted an admission date of 8/26/21 with diagnosis that included: pneumonia, asthma/COPD and respiratory failure. She received oxygen while not a resident and while a resident. A review of physician's orders for Resident #197 revealed she was to receive oxygen at 2 lpm
A review of the admission MDS assessment dated [DATE] revealed Resident #197 had a BIMS score of 15, indicating cognitively intact.
Resident #197 was care planned on 8/27/21 for her altered respiratory status and difficulty breathing related to her COPD and status-post tracheostomy. Interventions included monitor for signs of respiratory distress and provide oxygen as ordered.
On 9/9/21 at 10:04 AM, Resident #197 was observed for a second time in her room receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2.5 lpm.
An interview was conducted on 9/09/21 at 4:17 PM with Employee K, RN. He stated, Resident #197 was a chronic patient and received continuous oxygen at 2 lpm. He stated the oxygen flow rate instructions for all residents is in the care plan and in the physician's orders
During an interview on 9/10/21 at 11:13 AM with the north wing unit manager, he was told of the observations made of incorrect oxygen flow rates. He explained, his nurses were trained to get down at eye level to read the gage on the concentrator. His expectation was the oxygen should be set per the physician's order unless otherwise specified.
A review of the facility policy Oxygen Administration included: Preparation, verify that there is a physician order for oxygen administration, review the residents care plan to assess any special needs of the resident, assemble equipment and supplies needed. Equipment and supplies needed: portable oxygen cylinder, nasal cannula, humidifier bottle, No Smoking/Oxygen in Use sign, regulator and personal protective equipment. Assessment: before administering oxygen and while resident is receiving oxygen therapy, assess for following, signs or symptoms of cyanosis, hypoxia, oxygen toxicity, vital signs, lung sounds, arterial blood gases and oxygen saturation and other laboratory results as applicable. Documentation: after completing the oxygen setup or adjustment the following information should be recorded in the residents medical record. The date and time the procedure was performed, name and tile of the individual who performed procedure, rate of oxygen flow, route and rationale, frequency and duration of treatment, reason for as needed, all assessment data obtained before, during and after procedure, how resident tolerated the procedure.
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