Failure to Maintain Adequate Ventilation and Air Quality
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure adequate ventilation on the second floor, as observed during a recertification and complaint survey. A closet used for biohazard trash was found with a ventilation cover on the floor and an uncovered ceiling vent, with no detectable air circulation. Another closet storing backup linens was observed to have no ventilation and contained linens coated in black soot-like debris, along with cobwebs covered in the same material. Staff confirmed that this black soot was a recurring issue in the hallway and had been present for several months. Interviews with facility staff revealed that both staff and residents had reported concerns about breathing in black debris in the affected area. Upon inspection, the Director of Maintenance discovered that HVAC units servicing the area were missing filters on the evaporator side, and the return air filters were heavily clogged with dust and had not been changed for an extended period. Although filters were eventually replaced and cleaned, the Director of Maintenance noted that debris had already accumulated within the ductwork, resulting in ongoing complaints from residents and families about belongings becoming covered in debris after only a few days.