Unsanitary Electric Fan in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when an electric fan in a resident's room was found to be in an unsanitary condition. During an observation and interview, a black standing fan at the resident's bedside was noted to have dust on the blades and lint on the cover. The Licensed Vocational Nurse present acknowledged that the fan was not clean and stated that the resident could potentially inhale the dust and lint. The resident in question had moderately impaired cognition and required assistance with showering and personal hygiene, as documented in their Minimum Data Set. The resident's medical history included hypertension, anxiety, and osteoarthritis. Further interviews revealed that the Director of Nursing expected housekeeping staff to keep all equipment in residents' rooms clean and in good working condition to prevent respiratory-related illnesses. A review of the facility's Homelike Environment Policy indicated that regular housekeeping and maintenance should be provided while preserving residents' personal touches. The failure to maintain the fan in a clean and sanitary condition constituted a deficiency in ensuring a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for the resident.