Nonfunctional Closet Doors Used for Wheelchair Storage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that closet doors were functional in nine resident rooms, as observed during a survey. Family members reported that closet doors were broken and that the issue had been communicated to nursing staff, but the problem remained unresolved. During an observation with the Maintenance Supervisor, it was noted that the closet doors in the affected rooms were not attached at the bottom and would swing open. The Maintenance Supervisor explained that nurses had unhooked the closet sliding doors at the bottom to store residents' wheelchairs in the closets due to insufficient space in the rooms. A review of the facility's repair request log showed no recorded requests for the repair of the closet doors in the affected rooms. The Director of Nursing confirmed that nurses were not authorized to unhook closet doors and acknowledged the potential for resident injury due to the swinging doors. The facility's policy and job description for the Maintenance Supervisor require maintaining a safe, comfortable, and sanitary environment for residents, staff, and visitors.