Obstruction of Emergency Exits and Emergency Cart in Resident Lounge
Penalty
Summary
Emergency exits and an emergency response cart in the Webster lounge, located behind the nurse's station, were found to be obstructed by 18 wheelchairs lined up in rows, as well as a standard chair and a charging electric wheelchair. These obstructions prevented easy access to both the emergency exits and the emergency response cart. The wheelchairs had been relocated to the lounge overnight due to ongoing construction in the room where they were previously stored. During an observation and interview, a registered nurse acknowledged that the wheelchairs should not be placed in front of the emergency exit or the emergency cart. The administrator confirmed that there was an alternative storage room available next to the conference room where the wheelchairs could have been stored. The administrator also stated that residents should have access to the lounge on their unit, indicating that the current arrangement impeded resident access and use of the lounge overnight.