Failure to Maintain Safe and Functioning Bathroom Equipment
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain safe and functioning equipment, specifically a hand assist bar in a resident's bathroom that was not securely anchored to the wall. The resident, who had diagnoses including difficulty walking, dialysis, diabetes, chronic kidney failure, and peripheral vascular disease, was assessed as cognitively intact. The resident expressed concerns about the loose hand assist bar, stating it had been reported but not repaired. Observation confirmed the bar was loosely anchored and moved approximately two inches when pulled, scraping the wall. The maintenance director stated that a leadership team is responsible for daily room checks and reporting needed repairs, but upon review, there were no work orders pending for the resident's room and the last recorded repair was unrelated. During a joint observation with the administrator and surveyor, the maintenance director confirmed the grab bar was not safe for use and acknowledged that a work order should have been placed. The findings were presented to facility leadership, with no additional information provided before the exit conference.