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

Unsanitary Conditions in Facility Garage

Forest Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare CenterWeatherly, Pennsylvania Survey Completed on 01-13-2025

Summary

The facility failed to maintain a sanitary environment in one of its buildings, specifically Garage 1, as observed on January 13, 2025. Approximately 50 filled clear plastic garbage bags were stored on the ground, containing various refuse such as blue latex gloves, used resident briefs, bed protective barriers, and human and food waste. Additionally, cardboard boxes and loose latex gloves were scattered on the garage floor. The bags were piled about 4 feet high and extended 20 feet across the garage floor, obstructing the egress to enter the building beyond 8 feet. The building emitted an unpleasant and foul odor, indicating a lack of sanitation. Interviews with staff revealed that the trash compactor had been filled since January 1, 2025, and the excess garbage was stored in the garage until an additional pick-up could be scheduled. The Director of Maintenance acknowledged the situation, explaining that the compactor would fill up again before the next scheduled pickup, necessitating an additional waste removal service. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed the presence of the garbage bags and acknowledged the facility's responsibility to maintain a sanitary environment for residents, staff, and the public. The deficiency highlights the facility's failure to manage waste effectively, leading to unsanitary conditions in a building used by staff.

Plan Of Correction

This provider submits the following plan of correction in good faith and to comply with Federal Law. This plan is not an admission of wrongdoing, nor does it reflect agreement with the facts and conclusions stated in the statement of deficiencies. 1. While no resident/residents were directly affected, all garbage cited in the deficiency was removed via a 30-yard dumpster before the surveyor exited the facility. 2. Based on the rationale in number one, no other residents have the potential to be directly affected. 3. Should the need arise, in the future, to temporarily store garbage until a pick-up is possible, it will be stored in appropriate covered containers, in building 1, which is not a part of the licensed facility, to assure a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment for residents, staff and the public. 4. The Maintenance Director/designee will monitor building #1, twice daily x 4 weeks, then 1x daily thereafter. All Dietary, Housekeeping, and Maintenance staff will be inserviced on the process to properly store garbage temporarily in a safe, functional, and sanitary way until a pickup can be arranged. Results of audits will be presented monthly in QAPI.

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 Hair Salon and Open Kitchen Drain
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

An open floor drain near the dish machine was observed without a grate, and the FSM confirmed it had no grate and was unsure how long it had been open. In the Hair Salon, the sink drain filter had a glob of hair, and 3 brushes plus a box of hair curlers had hair on them; the AD and HS both confirmed the unsanitary conditions, and the HS stated she might have forgotten to clean the salon after the beautician visit.

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.
Dirty resident room and unclean memory care dining room
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 resident room was observed in disrepair with unpainted wall areas, black marks, discoloration, ceiling staining, and scuffed, missing paint on the door frame, and the same conditions remained on follow-up. The memory care dining room floor also had food crumbs and debris under multiple tables; an LPN said it appeared not to have been cleaned after the prior night's meal, and the administrator confirmed the food was still present.

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.
Leaking and Loose Faucets in Facility Sinks
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

Leaking and Loose Faucets in Facility Sinks: During a facility tour, a beauty shop style sink was observed leaking where the faucet connected to the sink, and maintenance staff stated they were not aware it needed repair. A sink in the soiled linens room on D/F Hall was also observed with a loose swivel faucet that leaked when turned on, and maintenance staff confirmed the observation.

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.
Sharps Containers Left Full and Unusable
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

Sharps containers on a locked dementia unit were observed full to the point that they could not be opened, including one in a shower room with three uncapped used disposable razors sitting on top of it and another on a medication cart. The DON and an LPN confirmed the containers were unusable, and the LPN noted two residents on the unit required routine blood glucose monitoring with lancets that would need disposal in a sharps container.

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.
Resident Room Walls Found Moist, Stained, and Damaged
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

Resident room walls were observed with moisture, black/gray staining resembling mildew or mold-like substance, bubbling paint, cracks, gouges, and dirty vents in multiple rooms, including B-2, B-4, B-6, B-8, B-10, and B-12. The Tel's record review showed no reports about the wall conditions for the past 6 months, and the ADM stated the moisture had been present for a while and had not previously been brought to the ADM and Maintenance Director's attention.

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.
Broken Bedside Table Within Resident Reach
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

A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and anticoagulant use had a bedside table within reach that was observed to be broken, with an unfinished edge, exposed particle board, splinters, and wood chips on the tabletop. A CNA confirmed the table was in poor repair and accessible to the resident.

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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