Failure to Enforce Smoking Policy and Supervision
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a safe environment related to smoking for one of two residents reviewed who smoke at the facility. According to the facility's Smoking Policy, residents are only permitted to smoke in designated areas and must be accompanied by staff, family, or properly trained volunteers. Smoking materials, including electronic cigarettes and vaporizers, are to be kept in a designated area accessible only by staff, and residents are not allowed to keep these items in their possession. Smoking in bed or in unauthorized areas is strictly prohibited. During the survey, observations revealed that a resident had several electronic cigarettes/vaporizers on their bedside table and was seen smoking an electronic cigarette/vaporizer in their room, which is not a designated smoking area. Interviews with the NHA and DON confirmed that the resident smokes in their room and keeps their own electronic cigarettes/vaporizers, contrary to facility policy. The facility had no accountability for these items, and the resident refused to follow the smoking policy, placing others at risk.