F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
D

Inadequate Temperature Control and Unsanitary Conditions in Shower Rooms

Ellicott Center For Rehabilitation And NursingBuffalo, New York Survey Completed on 02-13-2025

Summary

The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, as evidenced by inadequate housekeeping and maintenance services. Specifically, the air temperatures in the Harbor View unit were consistently below the required range of 71 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures recorded as low as 66.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Residents and staff reported feeling cold, with some residents wearing multiple blankets and winter clothing indoors. The maintenance staff acknowledged issues with the heating system, including thermostats set below the required temperature and obstructions affecting heat distribution. Additionally, the facility did not adhere to its cleaning and disinfecting policies, resulting in unsanitary conditions in the shower rooms on the City View and Harbor View units. Observations revealed dried brown debris, identified as feces, on shower floors and chairs, which were not cleaned between uses. Staff interviews confirmed that the responsibility for cleaning was not consistently followed, leading to potential infection control issues and a failure to provide a homelike environment. The facility's policies on maintaining a homelike environment and cleaning procedures were not effectively implemented, contributing to the deficiencies observed. Staff members, including CNAs and housekeeping aides, were unclear about their responsibilities, resulting in inadequate cleaning and maintenance practices. The Director of Nursing and other management staff acknowledged the issues but did not ensure compliance with established protocols, leading to the observed deficiencies.

Plan Of Correction

Plan of Correction: Approved March 11, 2025 Maintenance adjusted the thermostat in Resident Rooms #136 and #133. Maintenance also adjusted the thermostat that controls the common area on Harbor View and City View units. The shower chair and shower room floor on the City View unit and Harbor View unit were cleaned and disinfected per policy. The equipment was removed from the stall. An audit was conducted to ensure the temperatures in other areas of the facility are within a range of 71 degrees to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. All shower rooms on all other units in the facility were checked to ensure shower equipment and shower rooms were clean; no other areas of concern were identified. The maintenance director and maintenance staff were educated on maintaining the temperature in the facility rooms within the range of 71 degrees to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. All CNA staff will be educated on the policy/procedure for cleaning and disinfecting reusable items between resident use. All housekeeping staff will be educated regarding the policy/procedure for cleaning shower rooms. The maintenance director will audit one unit for temperatures weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly for 3 months, including 4 resident rooms. The DON/Designee will audit shower room shareable equipment on one unit to ensure that they are clean and without debris/bodily fluids weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly for 3 months. The Director of Housekeeping will audit one unit's shower rooms to ensure floors are clean and without debris/bodily fluids weekly for 4 weeks, then monthly for 3 months. Audit findings will be reported to the QAPI committee for review. Responsible Person: DON

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 F0584 citations
Unclean and Poorly Maintained Resident Rooms
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Unclean and Poorly Maintained Resident Rooms: Two residents were affected by environmental issues in their rooms. One resident’s windowpane had a crack extending the length of the window for months, and staff gave conflicting statements about awareness of the damage. Another resident reported housekeeping was not sweeping or mopping, and trash and a liquid spill remained on the floor between the beds across multiple observations. Resident council notes also documented repeated housekeeping concerns about room cleanliness.

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.
Bathroom Sink Faucet Sprayed Water Onto Floor
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Bathroom Sink Faucet Sprayed Water Onto Floor: A resident with RA, PTSD, and recurrent MDD had a bathroom sink faucet that sprayed water outward and onto the floor instead of downward. The resident said the problem had been present for months and had been reported to CNAs, and a CNA confirmed it had been reported to the charge nurse. Observation and interview with the MD confirmed the faucet issue and that a work order had been received but not repaired because other repairs were prioritized.

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.
Broda Chair Not Kept in Good Repair
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and dependence for ADLs was observed using a broda chair with multiple cracked cushions, exposed foam, and stuffing visible in the headrest and side areas. Staff said broken equipment should be reported for repair or replacement, but the chair remained in use and hospice had not yet been notified; the DON stated equipment was expected to stay in good repair and that the cracked cushions could not be cleaned appropriately.

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.
Unsafe and Unclean Facility Environment
E
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Unsafe and Unclean Facility Environment: Surveyors observed multiple environmental deficiencies, including an unlocked maintenance storage room with stacked AC units, dirty vents, black substance on windowsills, walls, doors, handrails, and equipment, missing or broken light covers, holes in walls, and debris in hallways and the dining room. Staff interviews showed housekeeping cleaned vents and AC units, but filters were not changed and documentation practices were inconsistent, while the facility policy required a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment.

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.
Widespread Odors and Environmental Disrepair in Resident Care Areas
E
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that the facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, and homelike environment, with strong, persistent urine and feces odors noted throughout multiple halls and confirmed by staff. On two nursing units, hallways and resident rooms contained torn flooring, food debris, broken blinds, dirty and leaking toilets and sinks, rusted and corroded fixtures, missing outlet covers with oxygen concentrators plugged in, exposed light sockets, unmade and visibly soiled beds, and black, mold-like substances on walls and around toilet bases. Bathrooms had missing ceiling tiles, cracked door facings with brown stains, used briefs and torn toilet paper on floors, and toilets with brown or rust-like buildup. Outside, the patio and fencing area had broken and rotted railings, exposed rusted nails, fallen palm fronds, and overgrown vegetation, and the Administrator acknowledged the area was not safe for residents. Housekeeping and maintenance staff described daily cleaning and a work-order process, but the Maintenance Director reported being unaware of many of the observed issues, and the DON confirmed there was no specific environmental cleaning policy despite job descriptions and a general policy requiring a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment.

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.
Missing Resident Cell Phone Not Addressed
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

A resident’s cell phone went missing and was not found or replaced, despite staff awareness and documentation that the resident’s personal effects included a phone with charger. The grievance record addressed missing clothing items but did not address the phone, and both the LPN/Resident Care Manager and Administrator stated the issue did not meet expectations.

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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