Cluttered Therapy Gym Limits Resident Access to Rehabilitative Services
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide sufficient space and appropriate storage for equipment in the Physical Therapy (PT) gym, resulting in the therapy mat and surrounding area being used to store various items, including therapy balls, broken equipment, assistive devices, and items meant for disposal. Observations revealed that these items were stacked on and around the therapy mat, rendering the area unusable for resident therapy sessions. The Director of Rehabilitation confirmed that the therapy mat and its surrounding area could not be used for therapy due to the clutter and that items stored there were awaiting disposal. Interviews with facility leadership, including the Director of Nursing, emphasized the importance of maintaining a tidy, homelike, and hazard-free therapy environment, and acknowledged that the current use of the therapy area for storage was inappropriate. A review of facility policy indicated an expectation for cleanliness and order to promote a homelike environment, but there was no specific policy addressing the maintenance of uncluttered therapy areas or prohibiting the use of therapy spaces for storage.