Resident Rooms Below Minimum Square Footage Requirement
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that four of its resident bedrooms (rooms 24, 26, 28, and 44) met the minimum required size of 80 square feet per resident in multiple occupancy rooms. Measurements showed that each of these rooms, which housed three residents each, was below the required square footage per resident. The deficiency was identified through observation, interviews, and record review, including a review of the facility's room waiver, which acknowledged the rooms did not meet the regulatory size requirement. Despite the deficiency, observations indicated that residents in these rooms were able to maneuver their wheelchairs and ambulate without difficulty, and nursing staff reported having sufficient space to provide care, maintain privacy, and uphold residents' dignity. Interviews with residents revealed no concerns about room size, and staff confirmed that care could be provided effectively. The facility had submitted a room waiver, and the department recommended approval of this waiver based on the findings.