Failure to Maintain Sanitary and Comfortable Resident Rooms Due to Mold
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate housekeeping and maintenance services necessary to maintain a sanitary, orderly, and comfortable environment on one of its halls. Observations revealed a black circular substance, identified as mold, under the wallpaper in the rooms of three residents. The housekeeper reported that mold had been present in the housekeeping storage room for three to four months and had informed the maintenance director, but no action had been taken. The maintenance director confirmed the presence of mold behind the wallpaper in the residents' rooms and stated that he had notified the administrator, but had not received a response. The director of nursing and the administrator both stated they had not been informed about the mold, and neither had taken steps to address the issue prior to the survey. The residents affected included individuals with significant medical histories, such as dementia, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart failure, and metabolic encephalopathy. Some residents were unable to communicate effectively due to cognitive impairment or other conditions. The facility's own policy requires the provision of housekeeping and maintenance services to ensure a safe, clean, and comfortable environment, but this was not upheld, resulting in residents being exposed to an unclean and potentially hazardous environment.