Failure to Maintain Safe Resident Equipment and Ensure Staff Training
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that resident equipment was maintained in a safe operating condition, as required by its own policy. An air fryer and a Keurig coffee machine were observed in a resident's room, both of which had not been approved by the administrator or designee as stipulated in the facility's electrical appliance policy. Staff interviews revealed that the appliances had been present in the room prior to the current staff's employment, and no staff had received training or in-service on the safe use or maintenance of these appliances. The resident reported using the air fryer to heat food and the coffee machine for personal use, with facility staff assisting in their operation. Further investigation showed that the Maintenance Director was unaware of the presence of these appliances and had not inspected them, although he did check the resident's refrigerator daily. The Maintenance Director stated that he relied on notification from Social Services to inspect resident equipment and only checked electrical outlets for compatibility, not the appliances themselves. The Director of Nursing and Administrator confirmed the presence of multiple personal appliances in the resident's room and acknowledged the lack of staff training regarding their safe use and maintenance.