Electrical Safety Deficiency in Multiple Facility Areas
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that electrical equipment had approved wiring and electrical outlets in accordance with NFPA 70, 2011 Edition, in six different areas. Specifically, the director of nursing office, nursing main supply room, first-floor nurse's station, main kitchen, foyer, and therapy department had outlets that were not protected from water with a proper ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Additionally, power strips were found on the floor, which posed a potential risk when the floors were swept and mopped. Observations included a coffee pot in the director of nursing office plugged into a regular outlet about 7 feet from a sink, and a power strip on the floor in the nursing main supply room. Further observations revealed that the first-floor nurse's station had a water cooler plugged into a red outlet without a GFCI, and the main kitchen had a residential refrigerator plugged into a regular outlet about 6 feet from a 3-bay sink. In the foyer, a water cooler was plugged into a regular outlet without a GFCI, and in the therapy department, water coolers, coffee makers, and medication equipment were plugged into regular outlets. During an interview, the Director of Environmental Services acknowledged awareness of the need for outlets to be protected from water but was unaware of the improper protection of power strips on the floor and the extent of water-containing electrical equipment not properly protected.
Plan Of Correction
Plan of Correction: Approved May 5, 2025 The Outlet in the Director of Nursing Office was replaced with a ground fault circuit interrupter. The Power Strip in the nursing main supply room was mounted to the wall. A ground fault circuit interrupter was added to the red outlet at the first-floor nurses’ station. The outlet in the main kitchen 6 feet from the 3-bay sink was changed to a ground fault circuit interrupter. The outlet in the foyer was changed to a ground fault circuit interrupter. The outlets in the therapy department were changed to ground fault circuit interrupters. All maintenance employees received education on electrical outlets and the need for ground fault circuit interrupter outlets for any water containing electrical equipment, and approved power strips should be properly mounted and not present in close proximity to water. The Director of Environmental Services or designee will audit outlets monthly and install ground fault circuit interrupters where any water products are contained. The audit will be reviewed quarterly with the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Committee for 1 year to ensure compliance. Person Responsible for Completion: Director of Environmental Services