Failure to Maintain Cleanliness and Physical Plant Standards
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to effectively clean and maintain the physical plant, impacting 144 residents. During an environmental tour, multiple areas were observed to have significant cleanliness and maintenance issues. These included malodorous soiled utility rooms due to inadequate ventilation, heavily soiled return-air ventilation grills, damaged and soiled chairs at nursing stations, and privacy curtains in shower rooms contaminated with bodily fluids and human waste. Additional findings included etched and stained commode bases, soiled fans, leaking utility sink vacuum breakers, and loose or detached faucet handles in various rooms. The presence of accumulated dust and dirt on ventilation grills, PTAC unit filters, and fans was also noted throughout the facility. Interviews with the Director of Housekeeping and Laundry Services and the Director of Maintenance revealed that while there was an established work order system (TELS), there were no specific entries addressing the identified maintenance concerns in the past 60 days. A review of the facility's housekeeping policy indicated requirements for cleaning vents and replacing privacy curtains as needed, but these procedures were not followed as evidenced by the observed deficiencies. No information was provided regarding the medical history or condition of individual residents at the time of the deficiency.