Failure to Maintain Safe, Clean, and Homelike Environment on Two Units
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment on two of its five nursing units, specifically the Doric and Emerald Units on the third floor. Observations included dirty and stained hallway walls, broken air conditioning grilles with sharp edges, holes and damage to bathroom and entrance doors, unpainted and unfinished plastering, ripped base molding, sticky floors, and persistent urine odors. Several rooms were missing closet doors, leaving residents' clothing exposed. Staff interviews confirmed that certain rooms required frequent cleaning due to residents' behaviors such as urinating on the floor, spilling food and fluids, and throwing garbage, but cleaning responsibilities were divided between housekeepers and porters, sometimes leading to incomplete cleaning. The maintenance staff acknowledged the building's age and the challenges posed by the behavioral unit's resident population, which contributed to ongoing environmental damage. Despite being aware of the disrepair and environmental issues, facility leadership and maintenance staff indicated that repairs were being deprioritized in favor of other projects, and that comprehensive reconstruction was planned but not yet scheduled. The facility's own maintenance policy required maintaining the building in good repair and free from hazards, but observations and staff statements demonstrated that these standards were not being met on the affected units. The ongoing environmental deficiencies, including damaged and dirty surfaces, odors, and exposed personal belongings, were directly observed and corroborated by staff interviews.