Failure to Maintain Clean and Clutter-Free Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain a clean and sanitary environment in one resident's room, resulting in the accumulation of trash, debris, and clutter. During an observation, the resident's room was found to have a used meal tray cover, empty boxes, used plastic bottles, empty drink cartons, and used eating utensils scattered across the floor and bedside table. The resident reported that the clutter and trash had been present for approximately two weeks and that the room was consistently cluttered. The facility's policy requires a clean, sanitary, and orderly environment, and the resident's care plan specifically included maintaining a clutter-free environment to reduce fall risk. The resident involved had diagnoses of urinary tract infection and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was fully alert with no cognitive impairment, as indicated by recent assessments. The Assistant Director of Nursing confirmed that housekeeping is responsible for cleaning resident rooms twice daily and that nursing staff are expected to contact housekeeping as needed. The ADON also noted that the resident frequently orders and stores items in the room, contributing to the clutter. The failure to maintain cleanliness and orderliness in the resident's room was not in accordance with facility policy and the resident's care plan.