Failure to Maintain Safe and Homelike Environment During Room Repairs
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a safe, clean, and homelike environment for a resident with severe cognitive impairment and significant physical limitations. Maintenance staff conducted sheetrock repairs, including sanding drywall, in the resident's room while she remained present in close proximity to the work area. Observations revealed large pieces of debris and dust on the floor and windowsill near the resident, and the room was not cleaned during or after the repairs. The resident, who required supervision or assistance for transfers and did not use mobility devices, was exposed to the ongoing construction environment. Interviews with facility staff indicated that only the roommate closest to the repairs was relocated, while the resident remained in the room due to limited space and challenges associated with memory care residents wandering. The ADON and Maintenance Director both acknowledged that efforts were made to keep residents out of their rooms during repairs, but these were not always successful. The facility's policy required a clean, sanitary, and orderly environment, but this was not maintained during the repair work in the resident's room.