Staff Member Vaped Indoors in Violation of Facility Non-Smoking Policy
Penalty
Summary
A staff member was observed vaping inside the facility, specifically between the nurse's station and the resident sitting area, while residents were present. The staff member, when questioned, denied remembering the incident but acknowledged using vapes and cigarettes, and stated that staff were not allowed to vape inside the facility. Multiple interviews with other staff members, including CNAs, LVNs, the DON, and the Regional Nurse, confirmed that the facility is a non-smoking environment and that staff are only permitted to smoke in a designated area outside the building. The facility's policy explicitly prohibits smoking, including electronic cigarette products, inside the building for both residents and visitors. Despite the facility's non-smoking policy, the incident of vaping occurred in a common area, exposing residents and staff to vape fumes. Interviews with residents and staff indicated no prior issues with vaping inside the facility, and staff expressed varying levels of awareness regarding the risks associated with vaping indoors. The event was directly observed by a surveyor, and the staff member involved was identified and questioned about the incident.