Mechanical Lifts Not Maintained in Safe Working Order
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that mechanical lifts used for resident transfers were maintained in safe working order. According to the facility's policy, staff are required to inspect all equipment prior to use, ensuring that safety clips are present and functional, and that wheels and brakes operate correctly. During a Resident Council meeting, a resident who required mechanical lift assistance for transfers reported concerns about missing and non-functional spring-loaded locking clips on the lifts. Observations confirmed that one lift was missing a spring-loaded locking clip and had two additional clips that did not spring shut. The same lift also had a brake that could not be engaged due to a missing rubber mechanism. Another lift was found to be missing two spring-loaded locking clips. Staff interviews revealed that the Maintenance Director checked the mechanical lifts monthly and acknowledged that the spring-loaded locking clips sometimes failed and required replacement. Despite these checks, the deficiencies were not identified or addressed prior to the surveyor's observations. The administrator and maintenance staff were made aware of the issues during the survey, and the lifts remained accessible in the resident hallway for over an hour after the safety concerns were identified.