Failure to Maintain Safe and Supervised Smoking Area
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the designated smoking area was free from accident hazards and adequately supervised to prevent accidents for two residents with a history of smoking. Both residents, one with diagnoses including spina bifida and nicotine dependence and another with diabetes and malnutrition, were observed smoking independently in the designated area and properly disposing of their cigarettes in the provided container. However, approximately 100 cigarette butts were found scattered in the grass, under trees, and on the patio surrounding the smoking area, indicating improper disposal of smoking materials over time. Interviews revealed that neither resident currently using the area was responsible for the scattered cigarette butts, with one resident attributing the mess to a former resident who had been discharged months prior. Staff interviews confirmed that no one had been assigned to monitor or clean the smoking area, and the administrator was unaware of the accumulation of cigarette butts. The facility's policy required staff to enforce proper disposal of smoking materials and monitor compliance, but this was not being done, resulting in a failure to maintain a safe environment in the designated smoking area.