Unlocked Pantry with Sharp Knives Accessible to Cognitively Impaired Residents
Penalty
No penalty information released
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Summary
Staff failed to secure potential hazards in the facility by leaving the pantry at the nurse's station unlocked, where two sharp kitchen knives—one with a four-inch blade and another with an eight-inch blade—were found in a drawer. This area was accessible to residents, including six individuals identified as cognitively impaired and independently ambulatory. Observations confirmed the pantry was not locked, and staff interviews verified the presence of the knives and the unlocked status of the pantry. Facility policy required providing a safe environment for residents, but the unlocked pantry with accessible sharp objects did not comply with this expectation.