Failure to Enforce Smoking Policy and Control Smoking Supplies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow its established smoking policy for one resident who was reviewed for smoking. According to the resident's care plan and the facility's smoking policy, all cigarettes and lighters were to be kept locked at the nurse's station, and residents were only permitted to smoke during scheduled times under staff supervision. However, during observation and interview, it was found that the resident kept cigarettes and a lighter in a black bag attached to his walker, which was stored in his room. The resident confirmed that he kept his smoking supplies in his room and was not told he could not do so. Staff interviews revealed that multiple staff members, including the DON, MA, ADM, and SW, were not aware that the resident had smoking supplies in his room. Although all staff reported being trained on the smoking policy, which prohibits residents from keeping smoking supplies in their rooms or on their person, the supplies were not removed when discovered, and the incident was not reported to supervisory staff. The resident was observed accessing his cigarettes and lighter from his walker and later smoking outside under staff supervision, with the blue smoking supply box present. The facility's policy, dated October 2022, clearly states that residents may not have or keep any smoking articles except when under direct supervision. Despite this, the resident was able to retain smoking supplies in his room, and staff did not enforce the policy or report the violation. The lack of adherence to the policy was confirmed through interviews and observations, with staff acknowledging the potential for residents to obtain smoking supplies from a nearby store and the inability to search residents' belongings.