Failure to Maintain Laundry Equipment Results in Linen Shortages
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain all mechanical, electrical, and patient care equipment in safe operating condition, specifically in the laundry room where all four dryers were found to be nonfunctional. Observations and interviews revealed that the dryers had been out of service since the previous Friday, requiring the laundry supervisor to use an external laundromat to dry linens and residents' personal clothing. As a result, staff and residents reported a shortage of clean linens, with some residents noting that available linens were dingy, did not fit beds properly, had holes, or were stained and thin. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) confirmed that linen closets were empty at times, and they had to search other halls or wait for clean linens to become available. Residents interviewed expressed dissatisfaction with the quality and availability of linens, stating that they had difficulty obtaining clean and suitable bedding and towels. The maintenance supervisor acknowledged awareness of the broken dryers, and the administrator confirmed that repairs were pending and that additional linens had been ordered. The facility's policy requires a safe, clean, and homelike environment, including the provision of clean bed and bath linens in good condition, which was not met during the period reviewed.