F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
D

Failure to Maintain Clean and Homelike Bathing Areas

Trenton Gardens Rehabilitation And Nursing CenterTrenton, New Jersey Survey Completed on 05-15-2025

Summary

Surveyors identified a failure to maintain a clean and homelike environment on two of three units, specifically on the second and fourth floors. During tours, the surveyor observed multiple sanitation and housekeeping deficiencies in the central bath areas. These included a sink filled with discarded items such as an isolation gown, black pad, wash sponge, and basin; a shower bed with hair clippings, toilet paper, personal care products, and debris; visible water on the floor inside and outside the shower stall; and the presence of brown, green, and black substances in various corners and on the floors of the shower stalls. Additional findings included wet towels and socks left in the shower, a build-up of unknown debris and hair in the shower drain grate, and missing molding with a hard brown substance on the wall. Interviews with staff revealed a lack of clarity regarding responsibilities for cleaning and maintaining the shower areas. An LPN stated that CNAs were responsible for gathering residents' belongings after showers, and that housekeeping was responsible for cleaning the shower rooms. However, staff were unsure about the nature of the substances found in the showers and who was responsible for cleaning specific areas such as the shower grate. Staff confirmed that the observed conditions did not create a homelike environment for residents. A review of the facility's housekeeping and environmental services job descriptions indicated that housekeeping staff were expected to perform cleaning and sanitation of resident rooms and common areas, conduct regular inspections, and collaborate with other team members to maintain cleanliness. The director of environmental services was responsible for supervising housekeeping and laundry activities to keep the facility orderly, clean, and sanitary. Despite these outlined responsibilities, the observed deficiencies indicated that these standards were not met in the central bath areas on the affected units.

Plan Of Correction

F584 Safe/Clean/Comfortable/Homelike Environment ELEMENT ONE: CORRECTIVE ACTION: The second and fourth floor Central Baths were cleaned and sanitized by housekeeping on 5/9/25. Noted black, brown, green, and red substances were removed from the second and fourth floor Central Baths on 5/9/25. Personal hygiene and linen items were removed from the second-floor Central Bath sink on 5/9/25. Hygiene and toiletries were removed from the second-floor Central Bath shower bed. The molding in the 1st stall in the second-floor Central Bath was repaired on 6/7/25. The build-up of unknown debris and hair in the 1st stall second-floor Central Bath shower was removed on 5/9/25. Visible water on the floor inside and outside the second-floor Central Bath shower stall was removed on 5/9/25. The housekeeping staff were re-educated in daily responsibilities to clean showers and to report any cleaning concerns to their director. The nursing staff was re-educated to remove all personal items after showers on 6/9/25. The maintenance staff was alerted to evaluate drainage in the second-floor shower. ELEMENT TWO: IDENTIFICATION OF AT RISK RESIDENTS: All residents have the potential to be affected by this practice. ELEMENT THREE: SYSTEMIC CHANGES: Leadership makes weekly rounds to check on cleanliness of showers. The process for requesting maintenance work was reviewed and staff re-educated. Maintenance and housekeeping issues are discussed at daily operation meetings. The Licensed Nursing Home Administrator reviews and acts upon issues reported. ELEMENT FOUR: QUALITY ASSURANCE: Root cause analysis was conducted and a QAPI performance improvement project team formed to address maintenance and housekeeping concerns. The housekeeping director/nurse leadership designee will conduct weekly rounds to inspect the cleanliness, neatness, and functioning of showers. Maintenance will be notified to correct any repairs needed. Findings of rounds shall be reported to the Licensed Nursing Home Administrator weekly for 3 months. The findings and actions taken will be reported to the QAPI committee for review and further direction as appropriate. DATE OF COMPLIANCE: June 9, 2025

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0584 citations
Unclean and Poorly Maintained Resident Rooms
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Unclean and Poorly Maintained Resident Rooms: Two residents were affected by environmental issues in their rooms. One resident’s windowpane had a crack extending the length of the window for months, and staff gave conflicting statements about awareness of the damage. Another resident reported housekeeping was not sweeping or mopping, and trash and a liquid spill remained on the floor between the beds across multiple observations. Resident council notes also documented repeated housekeeping concerns about room cleanliness.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Bathroom Sink Faucet Sprayed Water Onto Floor
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Bathroom Sink Faucet Sprayed Water Onto Floor: A resident with RA, PTSD, and recurrent MDD had a bathroom sink faucet that sprayed water outward and onto the floor instead of downward. The resident said the problem had been present for months and had been reported to CNAs, and a CNA confirmed it had been reported to the charge nurse. Observation and interview with the MD confirmed the faucet issue and that a work order had been received but not repaired because other repairs were prioritized.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Broda Chair Not Kept in Good Repair
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and dependence for ADLs was observed using a broda chair with multiple cracked cushions, exposed foam, and stuffing visible in the headrest and side areas. Staff said broken equipment should be reported for repair or replacement, but the chair remained in use and hospice had not yet been notified; the DON stated equipment was expected to stay in good repair and that the cracked cushions could not be cleaned appropriately.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Unsafe and Unclean Facility Environment
E
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Unsafe and Unclean Facility Environment: Surveyors observed multiple environmental deficiencies, including an unlocked maintenance storage room with stacked AC units, dirty vents, black substance on windowsills, walls, doors, handrails, and equipment, missing or broken light covers, holes in walls, and debris in hallways and the dining room. Staff interviews showed housekeeping cleaned vents and AC units, but filters were not changed and documentation practices were inconsistent, while the facility policy required a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Widespread Odors and Environmental Disrepair in Resident Care Areas
E
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that the facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, and homelike environment, with strong, persistent urine and feces odors noted throughout multiple halls and confirmed by staff. On two nursing units, hallways and resident rooms contained torn flooring, food debris, broken blinds, dirty and leaking toilets and sinks, rusted and corroded fixtures, missing outlet covers with oxygen concentrators plugged in, exposed light sockets, unmade and visibly soiled beds, and black, mold-like substances on walls and around toilet bases. Bathrooms had missing ceiling tiles, cracked door facings with brown stains, used briefs and torn toilet paper on floors, and toilets with brown or rust-like buildup. Outside, the patio and fencing area had broken and rotted railings, exposed rusted nails, fallen palm fronds, and overgrown vegetation, and the Administrator acknowledged the area was not safe for residents. Housekeeping and maintenance staff described daily cleaning and a work-order process, but the Maintenance Director reported being unaware of many of the observed issues, and the DON confirmed there was no specific environmental cleaning policy despite job descriptions and a general policy requiring a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Missing Resident Cell Phone Not Addressed
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

A resident’s cell phone went missing and was not found or replaced, despite staff awareness and documentation that the resident’s personal effects included a phone with charger. The grievance record addressed missing clothing items but did not address the phone, and both the LPN/Resident Care Manager and Administrator stated the issue did not meet expectations.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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