Failure to Maintain Clean, Safe, and Sanitary Environment Across All Units
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple failures in maintaining a clean, safe, and homelike environment across all units of the facility. Observations included food and trash on the floors, stained linens, unclean bedframes, and residue on mattresses and call bells. Bathrooms were found with strong urine odors and visible buildup of residue, and follow-up visits confirmed that these issues persisted over several days. Interviews with housekeeping and environmental services staff revealed that daily cleaning was supposed to include dusting, mopping, and cleaning of surfaces, but documentation showed that some rooms were omitted from monthly disinfection schedules. Further deficiencies were noted regarding the cleanliness of air conditioning units. Black substances were observed on the exterior of AC units, and there was confusion between housekeeping and maintenance staff about responsibility for cleaning these units. Maintenance staff reported conducting daily rounds and monthly filter changes, but the presence of visible dirt indicated that cleaning protocols were not consistently followed. Documentation provided by maintenance only confirmed operability, not cleanliness, of the AC units. Additionally, all unit ice machines were found to have white and black sediment inside the dispensing shoots. Nursing and maintenance staff acknowledged the issue, with maintenance stating that cleaning was performed according to manufacturer guidelines, but also admitting that hard water might require more frequent cleaning. Facility policies required regular cleaning and prompt reporting of environmental concerns, but these were not adhered to, as evidenced by the ongoing unsanitary conditions and lack of timely response to visible contamination.