Dining Room Air Conditioning Vents Found Soiled and Rusty
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility's dining room had eight ceiling air conditioning vents, all of which were visibly soiled with a black substance and rust. The return vent in the dining room was also covered with dust. The Maintenance Director confirmed these findings, stating that the Housekeeping Department was responsible for cleaning the return vent, while she was responsible for the ceiling vents. She reported that she occasionally wiped the vents and sprayed bleach on the black substance, but this was ineffective in removing it. She also noted that the vents were rusty and needed to be painted or replaced. There was no set schedule for cleaning the vents, and the last documented cleaning occurred in October or November of the previous year. The Maintenance Director acknowledged that the return vent cleaning was overdue. The DON also confirmed the vents were soiled and rusty, and the return vent was dusty, emphasizing the importance of clean vents for residents' access to unsoiled air. Review of the facility's policy indicated that preventive maintenance should be completed routinely and according to protocol, but this was not followed in this instance.