Resident Room Size Deficiency and Impeded Mobility Due to Bariatric Bed
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that nine resident rooms met the federal requirement of at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple occupancy rooms. Observations and record reviews revealed that several rooms, each measuring 226 square feet and housing three residents, provided only 75.3 square feet per resident, while two other rooms with six beds each provided only 77.6 square feet per resident. Despite a facility letter stating that room sizes would not interfere with care or safety, direct observation showed that the rooms did not meet the minimum space requirements as outlined by federal regulations. Additionally, the placement of a bariatric bed and bedside table in one room further restricted movement for a resident with multiple chronic conditions, including fibromyalgia, muscle weakness, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and spondylosis. This resident, who was cognitively intact and required varying levels of assistance for mobility and personal care, reported feeling confined and unable to move freely within the room, particularly when accessing the bathroom. The arrangement of furniture and insufficient space impeded the resident's ability to move safely and independently, contrary to regulatory standards.