Room Obstruction Creates Fire Hazard
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident's bed was found obstructing the entrance to their room, creating a fire hazard by preventing the door from closing properly. The resident, who has multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, is dependent on nursing staff for most activities of daily living and uses a wheelchair. The resident expressed concern that the bed's placement would impede access and egress in the event of a fire. Observations confirmed that the bed blocked the doorway, and interviews with staff, including a registered nurse and the maintenance director, acknowledged that this arrangement posed a fire hazard and violated safety protocols requiring doors to remain unobstructed. The maintenance director was aware of the issue and had discussed it with the administrator, who stated that beds are sometimes moved to accommodate residents' belongings. The administrator also confirmed that the resident's bed blocked the door and that the resident refused to move his items, citing limited space. Facility policy requires maintenance personnel to keep the building in good repair and free from hazards, but the obstruction remained at the time of the survey, resulting in a failure to maintain a safe environment.