Unsecured Chemicals, Medical Supplies, and Environmental Hazards Create Accident Risks
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple deficiencies related to accident hazards and inadequate supervision across several units in the facility. Unsecured cleaning chemicals, including a container of Sani-Cloth Plus Germicidal Disposable Cloth and a spray bottle of Virex TB Ready-To-Use Disinfectant Cleaner, were found accessible to residents in their rooms and common areas. Additionally, wound care and medication supplies, as well as a sharp object (scissors), were left unattended and accessible to residents on the Geriatric Psychiatric Kennebec Unit. A toilet in one resident's room was observed to be loose and not secured to the floor, and a resident was found with a headphone cord taped across the walkway, with the tape lifting and creating a tripping hazard. Oxygen tanks were also not stored securely on one of the days observed. These deficiencies were confirmed through direct observation and interviews with facility staff, including the Unit Manager, Housekeeping Team Lead, Quality Improvement Manager, Registered Nurse, and Administrator. The presence of unsecured chemicals, medical supplies, sharp objects, and environmental hazards such as a loose toilet and tripping hazards demonstrated a failure to maintain a safe environment free from accident hazards and to provide adequate supervision to prevent accidents.