Unsecured Electrical Outlet and Improper Clothing Storage
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when an electrical outlet cover in a resident's room was observed to be partially separated from the wall, with two electrical cords plugged in and both devices functioning. The resident occupying the room had not left since returning from the hospital and was unaware of the outlet's condition. Despite the outlet's visible state, it was not reported to the maintenance department by staff, although a nursing assistant stated she had informed a staff nurse about the issue in February. The facility's protocol required staff to report such maintenance needs through a designated program, but this was not followed, resulting in the outlet remaining unrepaired during multiple observations. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure that residents' clothing was clean and stored properly for two residents on the 200 hall. Observations revealed large, clear plastic bags of dirty clothing overflowing and stored on the floor beneath vanities, as well as piles of clothing on top of vanities. One resident expressed a preference for dirty clothes to be placed in a container or laundry bag. The Environmental Services Director confirmed that laundry was done twice weekly and as needed, but indicated that dirty clothes would not accumulate if nursing assistants brought them to the laundry room as required. Nursing assistants were expected to participate in a shower assistant team responsible for transporting dirty laundry, but the observed conditions indicated this process was not consistently followed.