Failure to Maintain Sanitary and Functional Environment Due to Inadequate Cleaning and Drain Maintenance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment for its residents, staff, and the public. Observations revealed that six out of nine PTAC unit filters in the first floor Main Dining Room were heavily soiled with accumulated and encrusted dust and dirt deposits, and the cabinet surfaces of these units were also dirty. Additionally, the flooring surface in the same dining area was found to be soiled with dust, dirt, and food residue. Staffing interviews indicated that the housekeeping department had ten housekeepers in total, with only one housekeeper assigned to the second shift, and three housekeepers covering call-offs and days off. Further investigation into the facility's maintenance practices uncovered ongoing issues with the food production kitchen floor drain, which was reported to flood randomly, sometimes daily or weekly. The Corporate Life Safety and Maintenance/Environmental Director confirmed a history of wastewater issues dating back nine years and described a reactive approach to drain maintenance, including snaking drains as needed and periodic cleaning of grease traps and wastewater lines. Review of the facility's policy on sewage and waste disposal indicated a requirement for maintaining free-running sewer lines and outlined steps for addressing blockages, but the observed conditions and staff interviews demonstrated lapses in effective implementation.