Failure to Maintain Clean, Sanitary Environment and Address Odors
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, and homelike environment in multiple areas, as evidenced by the presence of biogrowth and unsanitary conditions in both a common room and two resident rooms. Observations revealed multiple gray and black spots of biogrowth on the back wall and floor of a resident closet, as well as stained floors with brown and black substances. In the Day Room, two ceiling air vents were surrounded by peeling paint with black areas visible underneath, indicating moisture and possible mold. Staff interviews indicated that while deep cleaning was reportedly performed monthly, there was no clear checklist or policy for the removal of biogrowth, and responsibilities for cleaning and reporting were inconsistently understood among housekeeping and maintenance staff. Additionally, the facility did not address persistent odors related to a resident who regularly returned from outside smelling of marijuana. The resident was observed smoking marijuana in the parking lot and later in his room, which had a strong odor of marijuana. Staff, including CNAs and LPNs, reported the smell and concerns to administration, but no effective action was taken. Staff expressed uncertainty about their ability to intervene when a resident returned from a leave of absence smelling of marijuana, and there was no policy provided for the removal of odors. Interviews with facility leadership, including the Director of Maintenance, Nursing Home Administrator, and Director of Nursing, revealed a lack of awareness and oversight regarding both the biogrowth and odor issues. The Director of Maintenance was unaware of the biogrowth in the resident closet and could not explain discrepancies in cleaning records. The Nursing Home Administrator had not recently inspected the affected room and was unaware of any cleaning checklist or policy for biogrowth removal. The Medical Director stated that providers should be notified if a resident's room smelled of marijuana, but this was not consistently done. The facility did not provide policies for the removal of biogrowth or odors when requested.