Failure to Maintain Clean, Safe, and Functional Environment Due to Leaking Pipes and Cockroach Infestation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a clean, safe, and functional environment for all 92 residents, as evidenced by multiple observations and interviews. In Medication Room A, a leaking pipe was found under the sink cabinet, with a grey wash basin placed to catch the water. The Registered Nurse Supervisor (RNS) was unaware of the leak, and no staff or the Maintenance Supervisor (MS) had reported it. The RNS acknowledged that unrepaired leaks could lead to mold, which could make residents and staff ill. In Medication Room B, multiple dead cockroaches were observed under the sink cabinet. The RNS, as well as the Director of Nursing (DON) and Administrator, confirmed that this infestation had not been reported to them. The Administrator stated that the MS is responsible for cleaning under sink cabinets and fixing leaks, and that pest control should be notified immediately in the event of an infestation. Pest control service records showed no indication that Medication Room B had been treated for cockroaches, despite the facility's policy of bi-monthly pest control visits. Interviews with the MS revealed that maintenance issues are to be logged at the nurses' stations and that he checks these logs daily. The MS stated he had last cleaned under the sink in station B two weeks prior and had not received any reports about cockroaches. He also confirmed he had no professional plumbing training and had not repaired the leaking pipe in Medication Room A. Facility policies reviewed indicated that the MS is responsible for maintaining plumbing and ensuring a clean, pest-free environment, but these responsibilities were not fulfilled as required.