Failure to Maintain Clean Equipment and Address Excessive Noise Levels
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain resident equipment in a clean and sanitary condition and did not ensure a comfortable environment regarding sound levels for two residents. One resident, who is nonverbal, has quadriplegia, dysphagia, and requires an electric wheelchair for mobility, was observed with a significant accumulation of dried, chewed, and spilled food on various parts of the wheelchair. The resident communicated that he is unable to clean the wheelchair due to his disabilities and does not like the presence of dried food. Staff interviews revealed uncertainty about who is responsible for cleaning wheelchairs and how often this should occur. The director of nursing acknowledged awareness of the issue and confirmed that the wheelchair often appears unsightly after meals, but there were no care plan interventions to protect the wheelchair during meals, and cleaning frequency was not documented. Another resident, who is cognitively intact and requires assistance with mobility and personal care, reported ongoing discomfort due to the loud volume of her roommate's television. The resident stated she had made multiple complaints about the noise, which affected her sleep and comfort, but no effective interventions were implemented. Staff confirmed the roommate's TV is frequently loud, and although they sometimes lower the volume when the roommate is absent, they do not consistently monitor or address the issue. The social services staff was aware of the complaint and had only asked staff to lower the volume when possible, with no further interventions or plans to address the incompatibility or sound levels. The facility lacked clear policies regarding the cleaning frequency of resident equipment and did not have a policy addressing roommate incompatibility or appropriate sound levels in resident rooms. Documentation and staff interviews confirmed that these deficiencies were ongoing and not addressed through care planning or facility policy.