F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
D

Dirty wheelchair not cleaned as required

Christopher House Of WorcesterWorcester, Massachusetts Survey Completed on 08-29-2025

Summary

The facility failed to maintain a clean and homelike environment for Resident #123 by not keeping the resident’s wheelchair clean and sanitary. The resident was admitted in September 2023 with diagnoses including spinal stenosis and cerebral infarction due to embolism of the left middle artery. The resident’s 6/8/25 MDS indicated cognitive intactness with a BIMS score of 12 out of 15, supervision needed to walk 10 feet due to medical condition or safety concern, and use of a manual wheelchair. The facility’s Wheelchair Cleaning Policy required wheelchairs to be cleaned at least weekly, with additional cleaning for visible soiling, and assigned housekeeping/maintenance responsibility for weekly cleaning. Weekly wheelchair cleaning schedules dated 7/8/25, 7/17/25, 7/24/25, 7/31/25, 8/7/25, 8/18/25, and 8/25/25 did not show that Resident #123’s wheelchair had been cleaned weekly or since June 2025. During observations, the wheelchair was seen with dried dark brown spots on the frame, flaky white debris on the spokes and wheels, and stained armrests with a dark brown/black substance. The resident stated staff had not cleaned the wheelchair, and later said staff had not cleaned it in a long time. A nurse observed the wheelchair was dirty and covered in food debris and should have been cleaned. Housekeeping staff acknowledged the wheelchair needed cleaning.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

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See other F0584 citations
Unclean and Poorly Maintained Resident Rooms
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Unclean and Poorly Maintained Resident Rooms: Two residents were affected by environmental issues in their rooms. One resident’s windowpane had a crack extending the length of the window for months, and staff gave conflicting statements about awareness of the damage. Another resident reported housekeeping was not sweeping or mopping, and trash and a liquid spill remained on the floor between the beds across multiple observations. Resident council notes also documented repeated housekeeping concerns about room cleanliness.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Bathroom Sink Faucet Sprayed Water Onto Floor
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Bathroom Sink Faucet Sprayed Water Onto Floor: A resident with RA, PTSD, and recurrent MDD had a bathroom sink faucet that sprayed water outward and onto the floor instead of downward. The resident said the problem had been present for months and had been reported to CNAs, and a CNA confirmed it had been reported to the charge nurse. Observation and interview with the MD confirmed the faucet issue and that a work order had been received but not repaired because other repairs were prioritized.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Broda Chair Not Kept in Good Repair
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and dependence for ADLs was observed using a broda chair with multiple cracked cushions, exposed foam, and stuffing visible in the headrest and side areas. Staff said broken equipment should be reported for repair or replacement, but the chair remained in use and hospice had not yet been notified; the DON stated equipment was expected to stay in good repair and that the cracked cushions could not be cleaned appropriately.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Unsafe and Unclean Facility Environment
E
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Unsafe and Unclean Facility Environment: Surveyors observed multiple environmental deficiencies, including an unlocked maintenance storage room with stacked AC units, dirty vents, black substance on windowsills, walls, doors, handrails, and equipment, missing or broken light covers, holes in walls, and debris in hallways and the dining room. Staff interviews showed housekeeping cleaned vents and AC units, but filters were not changed and documentation practices were inconsistent, while the facility policy required a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Widespread Odors and Environmental Disrepair in Resident Care Areas
E
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that the facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, and homelike environment, with strong, persistent urine and feces odors noted throughout multiple halls and confirmed by staff. On two nursing units, hallways and resident rooms contained torn flooring, food debris, broken blinds, dirty and leaking toilets and sinks, rusted and corroded fixtures, missing outlet covers with oxygen concentrators plugged in, exposed light sockets, unmade and visibly soiled beds, and black, mold-like substances on walls and around toilet bases. Bathrooms had missing ceiling tiles, cracked door facings with brown stains, used briefs and torn toilet paper on floors, and toilets with brown or rust-like buildup. Outside, the patio and fencing area had broken and rotted railings, exposed rusted nails, fallen palm fronds, and overgrown vegetation, and the Administrator acknowledged the area was not safe for residents. Housekeeping and maintenance staff described daily cleaning and a work-order process, but the Maintenance Director reported being unaware of many of the observed issues, and the DON confirmed there was no specific environmental cleaning policy despite job descriptions and a general policy requiring a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Missing Resident Cell Phone Not Addressed
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

A resident’s cell phone went missing and was not found or replaced, despite staff awareness and documentation that the resident’s personal effects included a phone with charger. The grievance record addressed missing clothing items but did not address the phone, and both the LPN/Resident Care Manager and Administrator stated the issue did not meet expectations.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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