Unsecured Hazardous Areas and Materials on Memory Care Unit
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to secure hazardous areas and materials on the memory care unit, which could have affected 25 ambulatory residents. On two separate occasions, the doors to the soiled utility room and the clean utility room were found unlocked. The soiled utility room contained barrels for soiled linens, trash, and various equipment, while the clean utility room contained two containers of Microkill Germicidal Wipes, each with 160 wipes, stored on shelving accessible to residents. The wipes were labeled to be kept out of the reach of children. These unsecured rooms and accessible hazardous materials were directly observed by surveyors. During an interview, the Housekeeping Supervisor confirmed that the clean utility room was unlocked and that items marked to be kept out of reach were accessible to residents. The facility's own policy defined hazardous areas as those containing items or equipment that could cause injury or illness if accessed by vulnerable residents, and required such areas to be secured. Review of the MSDS for the wipes indicated the need for emergency medical attention if ingested. The facility's failure to secure these areas and materials was verified through observation, interview, and policy review.