Failure to Maintain Functional Toilets and Call Lights
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to maintain essential equipment, specifically toilets and call lights, in safe and functional condition on multiple floors. Observations over several days revealed that toilets in the second-floor family room, sensory room, and a shared resident bathroom were not flushing adequately, often remaining filled with waste despite repeated attempts to clear them. Staff interviews confirmed that these issues were longstanding, with maintenance either unaware of the problems or not addressing them effectively. In one instance, a resident reported having to use a commode due to the persistent unclean state of the shared toilet, and staff noted that maintenance performed only cosmetic repairs rather than fixing the underlying plumbing issues. Additionally, a bathroom sink faucet was found to have a large crack with jagged metal, posing a risk of injury, and staff acknowledged the bathroom was unsafe for resident use. Further deficiencies were observed with the call light systems in shared bathrooms on the third floor. Call light cords were found to be out of reach or missing entirely, making it impossible for residents to alert staff if they needed assistance or had fallen. Staff confirmed that these issues had been reported multiple times, but maintenance logs showed no record of repairs for the affected call lights. The lack of accessible call light cords was acknowledged by staff as a safety risk, and no documentation was provided to show that repairs had been made. These findings were in direct violation of the facility's policy ensuring a safe, clean, and homelike environment for residents.