Failure to Maintain Cleanliness and Homelike Environment in Shower Rooms and Smoking Areas
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a clean, comfortable, and homelike environment in two of three shower rooms and in designated smoking and entryway areas. Observations revealed the presence of mildew or an unknown black/brown substance on the walls of the 400-hall and 200-hall shower rooms, with the 400-hall shower room also exhibiting a strong odor of cigarette smoke and ashes around the toilet. The paint in the 400-hall shower room showed bubbling consistent with water damage, and the exhaust fan in the 200-hall shower room was not operational. These findings were confirmed by facility consultants, who identified the substance in the 400-hall shower room as mildew and noted the similarity of the substance in the 200-hall shower room. Additionally, the exterior entryway and smoking courtyard were observed to be littered with dozens of used cigarette butts. The entryway lacked a cigarette receptacle, while the courtyard had several receptacles present. The facility's policies required a clean and sanitary environment and specified the use of metal containers with self-closing covers in smoking areas, but did not provide further guidance on the disposal of cigarette butts. Staff interviews confirmed that the entryway is a non-smoking area and that expectations were for shower rooms and smoking areas to be kept clean, with maintenance notified of any damage or discoloration.