Non-compliance with NFPA 70 Standards for Power Strips
Penalty
Summary
During the Life Safety Recertification survey conducted on two consecutive days, the facility was found to be non-compliant with NFPA 70 standards regarding the use of extension cords and power strips. Specifically, surveyors observed multiple instances of unmounted power strips in various rooms and offices throughout the facility. These included four unmounted power strips in room 132, one in room 125, one in the Dietary office, two in the Staff Work Room on the 12th Floor, one in the Office of the Assistant Director of Nursing, and a power strip on the floor powering a microwave in the Office of Community Outreach & Marketing. The Director of Maintenance acknowledged the findings and indicated that the extension cords would be mounted, and the microwave was immediately plugged directly into an outlet. However, the report focuses on the deficiency observed during the survey, which highlights the facility's failure to ensure that power strips and extension cords were used in accordance with the National Electrical Code, potentially compromising electrical safety standards.
Plan Of Correction
Plan of Correction: Approved January 31, 2025 **NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** K920 Power Strips 1. What Corrective Action(s) will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice The following was addressed for the identified areas: Four unmounted power strips in room [ROOM NUMBER].132 were mounted, one unmounted power strip in room [ROOM NUMBER].125 was mounted, one unmounted power strip in the Dietary office was mounted, two unmounted power strips in the Staff Work Room on the 12th Floor were mounted, one unmounted power strip in the Office of the Assistant Director of Nursing was mounted and the power strip on the floor, powering a microwave in the Office of Community Outreach & Marketing, was mounted, and the microwave was plugged directly into an outlet. 2. How will you identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken The following corrective actions will be implemented to identify other residents who may be affected by the same practice: all skilled nursing facility rooms were checked to ensure that any power strips in use were mounted or that electrical items were plugged directly into an outlet. The Director of Maintenance/Designee will provide education to all staff regarding the policies and procedures related to electrical safety highlighting the proper use and installation of power strips. An educational summary will be provided to all staff highlighting the proper use and installation of power strips. Information on the proper use and installation of power strips will be shared at a Resident Council Meeting. 3. What measures will be put in place or what systemic changes you will make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur The facility’s compliance will be monitored utilizing the following quality assurance system: The Director of Maintenance/Designee will conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure that all power strips are properly mounted and used in accordance with NFPA 101. Findings will be collected on a monthly basis and additional corrective action will be implemented as needed. 4. How the Corrective Action(s) will be monitored to ensure the deficient practice will not recur, i.e., what quality assurance program will be put into practice The Director of Maintenance will gather information from the maintenance checks performed and report the findings to the QAPI committee for a period of 3 months or until compliance is achieved. 5. Responsible Individual: Director of Maintenance