Failure to Maintain Functioning Toilet for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all patient care equipment was in safe operating condition, specifically by not providing a functioning toilet for one resident. The resident, a male with moderate cognitive impairment, a history of stroke, cellulitis, and pain disorder, required assistance with toileting and was always continent. Despite this, his toilet was not operational for an extended period, as confirmed by both the resident and his family member. The resident reported using a urinal and bedpan, disposing of waste in his trash can, and stated he had informed both the Receptionist and Maintenance Director about the issue. Multiple staff interviews revealed inconsistent awareness of the problem, with some staff noting the toilet sometimes worked and others unaware of the malfunction. Observations by the surveyor and staff confirmed the toilet would not flush, and maintenance staff were not aware of the issue until the day of the survey. The maintenance log did not reflect any prior reports of the problem, and the facility's policies required routine checks to ensure toilets were functioning. The lack of timely response and communication resulted in the resident being without a functioning toilet, leading to unsanitary conditions in his room.