Failure to Maintain Sanitary and Safe Environment in Secured Unit
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment for residents, staff, and the public in one of its secured unit hallways. Observations revealed widespread environmental concerns, including soiled floors and walls, chipped paint, holes in the sheetrock, and a buildup of thick black residue in the common area, dining room, shower, and multiple resident rooms. Specific resident rooms were found with dirty floors, uncovered electrical outlets, broken faucets, broken paper towel dispensers, and broken light covers. Some rooms had a strong urine odor and sticky substances mixed with dirt and food particles on the floors. Interviews with housekeeping and maintenance staff indicated a lack of clarity and follow-through regarding cleaning responsibilities and maintenance repairs. The housekeeper reported daily cleaning tasks but noted that deep cleaning was the responsibility of maintenance, which was hindered by the absence of a floor technician. The maintenance director, new to the position, was unaware of the broken items and confirmed the lack of a floor technician. The housekeeping supervisor acknowledged the need for more thorough cleaning and committed to increased monitoring. The administrator cited recent management turnover and stated that corporate maintenance was overseeing the issues. Facility policy required a clean, sanitary, and orderly environment with daily and monthly deep cleaning, which was not being met in the secured unit.