K0363 K363: Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
E

Corridor Door Latching Deficiency

Birchwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare CenterNanticoke, Pennsylvania Survey Completed on 04-21-2025

Summary

The facility failed to maintain proper corridor door functionality in two specific locations on the second floor, which affected the safety measures required for smoke and fire resistance. During an observation conducted on April 21, 2025, it was noted that the door to the Activities room did not latch into the frame when tested. This failure to latch compromises the door's ability to resist the passage of smoke, which is a critical safety requirement in fully sprinklered smoke compartments. Additionally, the door to Resident room 223 also failed to latch into the frame when tested. This deficiency was confirmed during an exit interview with the Facility Administrator and Maintenance Manager. The inability of these doors to latch properly indicates a lapse in maintaining the required safety standards for corridor openings, which are essential for ensuring the safety and protection of residents and staff in the event of a fire or smoke emergency.

Plan Of Correction

1) 2nd floor Activities Door and Room 223 were fixed by Maintenance. 2) To identify other areas for potential concern, Maintenance Director/ designee quality monitored facility doors to ensure doors latched appropriately. Negative findings addressed. 3) To prevent this from recurring, NHA/designee re-educated Maintenance on corridor opening deficiencies. 4) To monitor and maintain compliance, Maintenance Director/ designee to quality monitor facility doors for opening deficiencies 1x weekly x 4 weeks then 2x monthly x 1 month. Findings will be forwarded to QA Committee for review and recommendation.

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.
See other K0363 citations
Failure of Corridor Door to Latch Properly
E
K0363 K363: Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that a corridor door to a resident room on one floor failed to latch into the frame when tested, meaning it did not meet NFPA 101 requirements for positive latching of corridor doors. The Facilities Manager and Facility Life Safety staff confirmed during interview that this corridor door did not latch properly.

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.
Multiple Corridor Door Deficiencies Impacting Smoke and Fire Protection
E
K0363 K363: Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Short Summary

Surveyors identified several corridor door deficiencies, including doors that failed to latch, lacked smoke tight integrity, and had missing locksets, across multiple floors. These issues were confirmed by facility leadership during the exit conference.

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.
Failure to Maintain Properly Latching Corridor Doors
E
K0363 K363: Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that two corridor doors, one on the third floor and one on the second floor, did not latch when tested, affecting two smoke compartments. The Facility Administrator and Maintenance Director confirmed these deficiencies, which were not in compliance with fire and smoke protection requirements.

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.
Failure to Maintain Positive Latching of Corridor Door
E
K0363 K363: Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Short Summary

A corridor door leading to the Patio Lounge failed to positively latch within the door frame, as observed and confirmed by the Director of Maintenance. This deficiency affected one of twelve smoke compartments and did not meet NFPA 101 and CMS requirements for corridor door latching.

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.
Failure to Maintain Corridor Doors for Smoke Resistance and Latching
E
K0363 K363: Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that corridor doors to two resident rooms did not close and latch properly, as confirmed by the facility's Administrator and Maintenance Director. This deficiency affected one of five smoke compartments and did not meet regulatory requirements for smoke resistance and positive latching.

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.
Corridor Doors Blocked Open with Wedges
E
K0363 K363: Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that two resident rooms had wooden door wedges holding corridor doors open, preventing them from closing as required for fire safety. Facility staff confirmed that the wedges impeded proper door closure.

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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