Failure to Enforce Smoking Policy and Update Resident Smoking Evaluation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe and hazard-free environment for a resident by not implementing its own Smoking Policy, which prohibits residents from keeping cigarette or tobacco products in their possession. During an observation, a pack of approximately 18 cigarettes was found at the resident's bedside, and there was no metal lock box present. The Registered Nurse confirmed that the resident should not have had cigarettes in their possession, as it was against facility policy and could jeopardize safety. The resident's care plan included an outdated intervention to provide a lock box for smoking materials, which conflicted with the current facility policy. Additionally, the facility did not review, update, or document the resident's Smoking Evaluation at least quarterly, as required by policy. The last documented Smoking Evaluation was several months prior, and the Director of Nursing acknowledged that the evaluation should have been completed quarterly to assess the resident's safety to smoke. The resident had a history of nicotine dependence, COPD, and chest pain, and was assessed as requiring partial/moderate assistance with dressing but was independent with eating and able to understand and express needs. The lack of updated assessments and conflicting care plan interventions contributed to the deficiency.