Failure to Maintain Salon Vent in Sanitary Condition
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when surveyors observed one of thirteen ceiling vents, specifically in the facility's beauty salon, to have black spotted substances resembling mold and rust both inside and outside the vent. The maintenance director confirmed that the black substance was removable and attributed its buildup to the room's high humidity and heat during the summer. Despite a routine cleaning schedule of every two months for vents, the maintenance log showed the last cleaning was completed in early July, with no record for August. The maintenance director acknowledged that the vent should have been addressed during monthly checks and agreed it appeared dirty and unkempt. Further investigation revealed that the salon technician was made aware of the vent's condition by a resident, but did not report the concern to administration and was unaware of the vent's state prior to the resident's comment. Review of the facility's Preventative Maintenance Program policy indicated that the maintenance director was responsible for ensuring a safe, functional, and sanitary environment, including developing and maintaining a calendar for all maintenance tasks. However, the requested cleaning record for the salon fan for August was not provided during the survey period.