Failure to Maintain Safe and Homelike Environment Due to Unaddressed Environmental Hazards
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, and homelike environment in both resident rooms and common areas, as evidenced by multiple observations of environmental hazards and lack of timely maintenance. Surveyors observed dark spots and missing molding with exposed and broken drywall in one resident's room, damaged ceiling areas with exposed sheet rock, and dirty, stained floors. Another resident's room had a large area of exposed drywall and missing paint, with a dirty and sticky floor. The north hallway and rooms had chipped, cracked, and bubbled floor tiles, with some areas exposing the concrete underneath. Additional observations included a significant ceiling and wall crack extending between two rooms, a broken wall tile in the dining room, and multiple open 220-volt electrical outlets in both the dining room and north resident hall, all of which were live with electricity and located close to the ground. Interviews with maintenance and administrative staff revealed a lack of awareness regarding several of these hazards, and a breakdown in the facility's process for reporting and addressing maintenance concerns. Staff were expected to use a computerized maintenance management system (TELS) to report issues, but this was not consistently followed, resulting in unaddressed hazards. Maintenance staff indicated delays in repairs due to waiting for quotes or materials, and some hazards had not been reported or tracked as required by facility policy. Facility policies required a safe, clean, and comfortable environment and prompt maintenance service, but these were not adhered to, leading to the observed deficiencies.