F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
D

Unsafe Water Temperatures and Improper Equipment Storage

Brickyard Healthcare - Lincoln Hills Care CenterTell City, Indiana Survey Completed on 04-22-2024

Summary

The facility failed to provide a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment for residents, staff, and visitors. The water temperatures in multiple rooms and shower areas on A and B Halls were found to be above the safe limit of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Specific instances included water temperatures reaching as high as 132.5 degrees Fahrenheit in one room and fluctuating temperatures in others. Staff interviews revealed that some were unaware of the proper water temperature limits, and one staff member admitted to noticing overly hot water but did not report it. Additionally, a raised toilet seat was observed stored on the bathroom floor, which is not a sanitary practice. The Maintenance Director indicated that a mixing valve had to be replaced due to issues with water temperatures and acknowledged that the water temperature should not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the facility's policy on safe water temperatures was not adhered to, as evidenced by the recorded temperatures. The Director of Nursing provided a policy that emphasized the importance of keeping resident care equipment clean and properly stored, which was also not followed, as seen with the improperly stored raised toilet seat. These deficiencies highlight lapses in maintaining a safe and sanitary environment for the residents and staff.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

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See other F0921 citations
Unsanitary bathroom conditions with unresolved maintenance issues
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Unsanitary bathroom conditions were observed in 7 rooms, with black and dark filmy growth on ceilings, walls, doors, and door frames, along with warm, musty, foul-smelling conditions. Follow-up checks showed the growth and odors remained, and prior work orders documented mold, ventilation, and A/C concerns without completion dates recorded.

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Peeling Wallpaper Left Unrepaired in Resident Room
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Peeling Wallpaper Left Unrepaired in Resident Room: A resident with severe cognitive impairment and diagnoses including Alzheimer's dementia, CKD, HTN, and depression was observed in a room where wallpaper next to the bed was loose and peeling away from the wall. A NA said the damage had been present for months and the resident had been pulling at it, while an LPN said they were not aware of the issue. The maintenance director said the wallpaper needed repair, but no maintenance requests were found for the room.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Unclean hallways and inconsistent room cleaning
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

A facility failed to keep 4 hallways clean and comfortable, with stained carpets, food debris, urine odor, and cluttered resident rooms observed. Residents reported rooms were not cleaned routinely, one said a spill was left sticky after being wiped but not mopped, and a grievance showed food spills remained for days before cleaning. Staff said housekeeping could not always complete daily room cleaning and that staffing was limited.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Maintain Sewer Line and Sanitary Conditions
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Failure to maintain the sewer line and sanitary environment resulted in raw sewage backing up through toilets and shower drains into resident rooms and hallways, with wastewater also leaking into an office area. Residents reported repeated clogs, the building water supply was shut off for hours, and staff confirmed corroded piping, flushed wipes, and that no medical or clinical assessments were completed after residents were exposed to sewage and fumes.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Pest activity and unsanitary conditions observed in resident areas
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Pest activity and unsanitary conditions were observed in resident areas and near the garbage area. A resident reported a spider on her curtain and a fly in her room, another resident reported flies during meals, and a family member reported roaches, moldy walls, and chipped paint in a resident room. Staff also observed dead insects near the kitchen exit, leaking waste at the garbage compactor, uncovered dumpsters, and unused equipment stored outdoors on muddy ground.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Maintain Safe Common-Area Temperatures
F
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Failure to maintain comfortable temperatures in common areas: surveyors found the dining rooms, hallway, lobby, and kitchen at or above 81 F, with the kitchen reaching 86 F while outdoor heat index conditions were very high. Staff reported the chiller had failed the prior year, the roof unit serving the kitchen and dining room had gone out the prior week, and portable AC units were being used in hallways and dining areas; a resident said bingo was too hot and humid and hard to breathe.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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