Failure to Secure and Report Exposed Wiring in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
Loose hanging wires were observed at the base of the back wall in a resident's room. The resident, who had a history of surgical amputation, muscle weakness, unsteadiness, and diabetes mellitus, required the use of a wheelchair and walker and needed partial to moderate assistance with personal care. The wires were identified as low voltage but were not properly secured, covered, or reported to maintenance. The Maintenance Director confirmed that the wires should not have been exposed and acknowledged the potential for fire, stating that no one had reported the issue through the facility's maintenance reporting system. The resident expressed concern about the open wires, specifically mentioning the risk of fire. Interviews with the DON and Maintenance Director revealed that staff were trained to report such hazards using the facility's maintenance application or by calling maintenance directly. Facility policy required hazardous areas and equipment to be identified and addressed to ensure resident safety, including securing or covering exposed wiring. Despite these protocols, the wires remained unsecured and unreported, creating a hazardous environment for the resident.