Failure to Maintain Secure Handrails in Facility Corridors
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that two of four facility corridors lacked firmly secured handrails on both sides, as required for resident safety. During a tour, multiple handrails in the A and B halls were found to be loose, missing screws, or missing corner joints, with some handrails easily shifting or exposing blunt ends when pressure was applied. Review of the facility's maintenance logs revealed no reports or work orders related to these handrail issues. The facility's policy on Resident Rights referenced a safe environment but did not include specific procedures for handrail maintenance or inspection. Interviews with staff confirmed awareness of the loose handrails. The Assistant Director of Maintenance acknowledged responsibility for checking handrails but had not identified or reported any issues, despite recent walkthroughs with the Administrator. A restorative nurse admitted to noticing loose handrails over the past three months but did not report them. The Housekeeping Supervisor stated that housekeepers clean but do not inspect handrails. The Administrator was unaware of the handrail issues and confirmed there were no checklists or monitoring systems in place for handrail condition.