Unsafe Use of Electric Appliance in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident was observed with an electric water kettle plugged in on the bedside table in their room. The resident, who had a history of congestive heart failure, hypertension, and major depressive disorder, was cognitively intact according to their BIMS score but required moderate to maximal assistance with activities of daily living. The electric kettle was found during two separate observations, both times plugged in next to the bed, along with instant coffee and creamer. The resident stated that they used the kettle to make coffee because staff would not provide it when requested and asked that staff not be informed about the kettle. Interviews with facility staff revealed that this was not the first time the resident had brought in an appliance for making coffee; a previous coffee maker had been removed by staff during rounds. The facility's policy requires the environment to be free from accident hazards and for hazards to be identified, evaluated, and addressed. Despite this, the resident was able to keep and use the electric kettle in their room, which was not in accordance with the facility's stated procedures for preventing avoidable accidents.