Failure to Ensure Timely Resident Mail Delivery Due to Locked Entry and Lack of Weekend Staffing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure residents received their mail on days when mail was delivered, specifically on Saturdays. During a resident group meeting, all six residents present reported not receiving mail on Saturdays, with some stating that the absence of front desk staff prevented mail delivery. Staff interviews revealed a longstanding practice of locking the front doors on weekends for security reasons, with no front desk receptionist available to accept mail. Staff members were generally unaware of the specific process for mail delivery on weekends, and some believed mail was not delivered on Saturdays, despite evidence to the contrary. Interviews with postal service representatives confirmed that mail is delivered to the facility on Saturdays unless the business is closed. However, due to the locked doors and lack of staff to accept deliveries, mail carriers treated the facility as closed and returned the mail to the postal station. Observations during the survey period showed that while there was a sign instructing visitors to ring the bell for admittance, there were no specific instructions for mail carriers and no visible mail receptacle. The Director of Nursing confirmed the doors had been locked on weekends for years and was unaware of any concerns or alternative arrangements for mail delivery to residents on those days.