Failure to Maintain Clean and Safe Shower Rooms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, and comfortable environment in two of its three shower rooms, as evidenced by multiple observations of unsanitary and unsafe conditions. On several occasions, surveyors found shower room doors propped open with no staff or residents present. The rooms contained soiled linens, wet washcloths and towels, used and unmarked bars of soap, gloves, masks, and other debris scattered on the floors. Toilets were found unflushed with visible feces and urine, and there were strong odors of feces. Unsecured cabinets contained unmarked toiletry items and a medicine cup with an unidentified green fluid. Equipment such as shower chairs had visible brown substances, and personal protective equipment was improperly discarded throughout the rooms. Interviews with staff, including LPNs, a CNA, and the Regional Nurse Consultant, confirmed that the shower room doors should not be left open and that the rooms should be cleaned and secured between uses. Staff acknowledged the poor condition of the shower rooms and indicated that cleaning should occur after each resident's shower. The Interim Director of Nursing also confirmed that shower rooms should always be closed and locked, and that CNAs are responsible for cleaning between residents. These observations and staff interviews demonstrate a failure to provide a safe, clean, and homelike environment for residents receiving showers.