Failure to Maintain Clean, Safe, and Homelike Environment
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple deficiencies related to the facility's failure to maintain a clean, safe, and homelike environment across all three floors. Observations included broken room number signs, unidentified spills and unclean walls, sticky and grimy floors, holes in walls, damaged furniture, and missing or damaged window screens. Equipment such as wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and Geri chairs were found to be dirty, with worn or missing padding and exposed hardware. Air conditioning units were noted to be rusty, broken, or emitting little cool air, and ceiling vents and door frames were dirty, rusty, or missing covers. Shower rooms lacked proper cleaning, with dirty tables and heavy grime buildup, and some areas had no vent covers. Trash and debris were observed throughout the facility, and there were strong urine odors in certain hallways. Interviews with residents and staff confirmed these environmental concerns. Residents reported that equipment, bathrooms, and shower rooms were dirty, walls needed cleaning, and there were issues with pests such as flies and ants. Some residents noted that floors were often sticky and that window screens were broken. Staff, including the Environmental Director and Maintenance Director, acknowledged the lack of established cleaning systems and confirmed the presence of the documented issues during facility tours. The Environmental Director stated that prior to their arrival, there was no system in place for cleaning rooms, floors, or halls, and the Maintenance Director, new to the facility, recognized the need for improvements. Review of facility policies and logs revealed that while there were policies for maintenance rounds and cleaning, implementation was lacking. Cleaning schedules and logs were either undated, lacked specificity, or indicated infrequent cleaning (e.g., wheelchairs cleaned every three months). Maintenance logs did not address the specific issues observed. The facility's failure to adhere to its own policies and to maintain a sanitary, comfortable, and homelike environment resulted in the cited deficiencies.