Environmental Deficiencies in Resident Areas
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment for residents on the 2nd and 3rd floors, as observed during a recertification survey. On the 3rd Floor Unit, issues included a broken handrail endcap, a pervasive strong odor of urine, a broken dresser, a ripped chair, stained shower room walls, stained community bathroom tiles, cracked floor molding, gouged sheetrock, and visibly soiled privacy curtains. Additionally, the Community room floor had visible dust and debris, and baseboard moldings were cracked and soiled with wax buildup. Similar issues were noted on the 2nd floor, where baseboard moldings were also cracked and soiled with wax buildup. Interviews with staff revealed systemic issues contributing to these deficiencies. The Director of Housekeeping acknowledged the need for baseboard replacements and cited insufficient staffing as a reason for the lack of scheduled terminal room cleanings. They also noted that air fresheners had been removed due to painting, contributing to the urine odor. The Director of Maintenance admitted to not being aware of the broken handrail endcap and stated that maintenance staff did not routinely enter resident rooms unless issues were reported. They also indicated that housekeeping staff might not have been trained to report environmental issues, and regular audits were not conducted. Resident feedback corroborated the observations, with complaints about the cleanliness of the community bathroom.