Bipap problem in LTC, and chain-of-command question

[buddy6066]

So what are we nurses suppose to do when working in LTC setting. Resident on bipap, wrong mask. Machine wouldn't quit alarming and getting hot. So what is the protocol for a situation like this. And by the way unable to call anyone until the day i was wrote up for neglect. I was told I should have called the DON and never met them till the day I was wrote up. They said I should have called that director.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

If I were you , I would have called the oxygen supply company first and would have told them to come out and deal with the mask.

Chain of command depends on who is on your management team.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Yep...even tho we don't have resp in LTC (unless you have vents), our pharmacy has a Resp department that sends oxygen supplys, pumps etc. I would have called them or even looked on the machine for a 1-800 number to call. Alot of the equiptment company have service people on staff.

Was your super notified of the problem? After that...I prop would have called the DON at home (In my smaller facility...she would be next to call )