Failure to Provide Smoking Apron During Supervised Smoking Break
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to provide a safe, accident-free environment for a resident during a smoking break. The resident in question had multiple diagnoses, including schizoaffective disorder, legal blindness, and an acquired absence of an upper limb below the elbow. The resident's Minimum Data Set assessment indicated cognitive impairment, and the resident's smoking assessment and care plan both specified the need for a smoking apron to be offered during smoking breaks to reduce the risk of injury. On the observed date, a Mental Health Counselor lit a cigarette for the resident on the smoking patio, but did not offer or provide a smoking apron, contrary to the resident's care plan and facility policy. During an interview, the staff member acknowledged that the apron should have been offered and recognized its role in preventing accidental burns or injuries. Facility policy also indicated that smoking aprons should be used when appropriate to ensure resident safety.