Failure to Maintain Sanitary and Comfortable Staff Smoking Area
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment in the designated staff and visitor smoking area located in the courtyard between hall 200 and 300. During an observation, the grass in this area was found to be approximately 20 inches high, with weeds over 4 feet tall. Trash, including plastic wrappers, paper towels, and cigarette butts, was buried in the overgrown vegetation. This unkempt condition was directly observed and documented by surveyors. Interviews with maintenance staff revealed that the maintenance department was responsible for trash removal in the area, and that the area should be maintained to be homelike for residents. Maintenance staff acknowledged that tall grass could attract pests into the building. The maintenance worker reported that a contract lawn service was supposed to maintain the area, but the service had not been performed, and a weed eater had broken about a month prior. The Administrator confirmed ongoing difficulties in securing a lawn service and stated that the expectation was for the facility to be maintained in a homelike manner. Review of facility policy indicated that residents are to be provided with a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment.