Failure to Maintain Functional Bathroom Facilities for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a homelike environment for several residents due to a non-functional bathroom sink in a shared room. Multiple residents, including those with impaired cognition, physical disabilities, and chronic illnesses, were affected by the lack of access to a working sink for daily hygiene needs. Residents reported having to walk to distant shower rooms or visitor bathrooms to wash their hands or perform personal care, which was described as inconvenient and bothersome, especially during evenings or when other residents were using those facilities. Observations confirmed that the shared bathroom adjacent to the residents' room was missing a porcelain sink basin, with only water lines and a faucet present. Staff interviews revealed that the sink had been in disrepair since it fell off the wall, causing a break in the water lines. The maintenance department and administration were aware of the issue, and residents and staff had reported the problem multiple times. Despite the facility receiving a replacement sink, the repair had not been completed by the time of the survey, and the project was not listed on the facility's work order or repair list. Documentation review showed that the sink had been non-functional for over a month, and the lack of timely repair resulted in ongoing inconvenience and disruption to residents' daily routines. One resident reported a fall in the bathroom due to the sink's disrepair, and others expressed frustration with the prolonged wait for repairs. The deficiency was substantiated through observations, interviews, and review of facility records and invoices.