Failure to Maintain Safe, Clean, and Homelike Environment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a safe, clean, and comfortable homelike environment for its residents, as evidenced by multiple observations of unaddressed maintenance and cleanliness issues throughout the building. Surveyors noted unattached and missing baseboard trim near the kitchen's ice machine and behind the linen cart area, visible cobwebs on a sprinkler head and light fixtures, several light fixtures with insects, dirt, and debris, and missing protective covers on light fixtures near the laundry room and resident rooms. Privacy curtains in several rooms were stained and dirty, with two residents specifically requesting that their curtains be replaced due to visible stains and a lack of replacement over several years. The facility did not provide a policy for maintaining a homelike environment, and the maintenance repair log showed no areas of concern addressed over a five-month period. Further observations in the bath/shower room revealed unsanitary conditions, including containers with unknown liquids, a disposable razor, a wet washcloth, dirty gloves on the floor, a trash can without a lid containing dirty items, a saturated towel, and food and drink items left on the shower cart. There was also a strong smell of urine, and the room was not in use at the time. Staff interviews confirmed that the shower room should be cleaned and sanitized after use, and that maintenance and housekeeping issues were typically reported verbally rather than documented. The Maintenance Supervisor and Administrator were aware of some issues, such as the baseboard trim, but there was a lack of documentation and follow-up on daily maintenance tasks.