Resident Smoking in Non-Designated Area Without Safety Measures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the resident environment was as free from accident hazards as possible, as evidenced by a resident repeatedly smoking in a non-designated area outside the front door on the sidewalk. Despite the presence of a 'No Smoking' sign and the absence of safety equipment such as an ash can, fire blanket, or fire extinguisher in the vicinity, the resident continued to smoke in this area. Interviews with facility leadership revealed inconsistent knowledge and enforcement of the facility's smoking policy, with the Assistant Administrator initially stating there were no smokers and later acknowledging the resident's actions. The Director of Nursing and Corporate Administrator confirmed that the resident was not supposed to smoke in the non-smoking area, and that although a designated smoking area had been created across the parking lot, the resident refused to use it.