Failure to Enforce Smoking Safety Policies and Proper Disposal of Smoking Materials
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to formulate, adopt, and enforce effective policies regarding smoking, smoking areas, and smoking safety, specifically in relation to the management of cigarette butts and trash in the designated smoking area. Observations revealed that a red metal ashtray container contained paper trash, and a metal trash can with a clear plastic liner was filled with cigarette butts, cigarette boxes, and regular trash. There was no designated staff member responsible for emptying the ashtrays, and both the Director of Nursing (DON) and the maintenance staff confirmed that the responsibility was unclear, with staff who accompanied residents to smoke expected to empty the ashtrays. The maintenance staff acknowledged that disposing of ashtray contents in regular trash cans and placing regular trash in the red metal ashtray container both constituted fire hazards. Review of the facility's smoking policy indicated an intent to provide a safe and healthy environment, but the observed practices did not align with this policy.