Resident Rooms Below Required Square Footage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that two resident rooms met the required minimum square footage per resident, as specified by federal and state regulations. Specifically, two rooms each housed five residents, but the available space per resident was below the mandated 80 square feet for multiple occupancy rooms. One room provided 76.964 square feet per resident, while the other provided only 71.536 square feet per resident. This was confirmed through review of the facility's census list, accommodation analysis, and a waiver request letter, which acknowledged the shortfall in space but asserted that care, dignity, and privacy were maintained. Interviews with facility staff, including a CNA and an LVN, indicated that they did not experience issues providing care in these rooms, even with residents who were ambulatory, used wheelchairs, or required lift assistance. The facility's policy and procedure document also reiterated the square footage requirements and noted that variations may be permitted if resident health and safety are not adversely affected. However, the rooms in question did not meet the standard square footage per resident as required.