Deficiency in Direct Exit Access for Resident Rooms
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that four resident bedrooms (Rooms 4, 5, 16, and 17) had direct access to an exit corridor without passing through another resident's bedroom. This deficiency was identified during a facility tour, where it was observed that residents in these rooms had to pass through adjacent rooms to reach the nearest exit corridor. This practice potentially compromised the privacy, health, and safety of the residents, particularly in emergency situations where direct access to an exit is crucial. Despite the lack of direct access, the residents in these rooms were ambulatory and did not express any concerns about their room locations. Interviews with a resident and staff members, including a CNA and an LVN, indicated that the residents were able to move in and out of their rooms without issues. Additionally, a room variance received during the survey period suggested that the residents' needs were accommodated without adverse effects on their health, safety, and welfare. However, the facility's arrangement still posed a potential risk due to the lack of direct exit access.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
The facility failed to provide residents with direct access to an exit corridor from their designated room space, affecting four residents in a shared room. Two residents had to pass through others' spaces to exit, confirmed by the ADON and Maintenance Supervisor. The room's configuration changed after adding a bathroom, reducing space per resident. No policy on direct exit access was provided.
Lack of Direct Exit Access for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents had direct access to an exit corridor from their designated room space. This deficiency affected four residents who were residing in a room shared by four individuals. Specifically, two residents in the back of the room had to pass through the designated spaces of other residents to exit the room and access the hallway. Observations and interviews with the Assistant Director of Nursing and the Maintenance Supervisor confirmed that there was no direct way for these residents to enter or exit their allotted space without traversing through another resident's area. The Maintenance Supervisor acknowledged that the room was previously certified for four residents, but the addition of a bathroom to each room reduced the square footage per resident, contributing to the issue. The facility did not provide a policy regarding direct access to an exit corridor.
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