Aerosol Air Fresheners Left Unsecured in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the environment remained free from accident hazards for one resident. During observations on two consecutive days, two aerosol cans of air freshener were found on the nightstand in the resident's room. The resident reported that one can belonged to him and the other was left by staff. The label on one of the cans indicated it should be kept out of reach of children. The resident stated that staff had left the cans in his room and that no other residents had wandered into his room. At the time of the observations, the resident was either present or absent from the room, but the cans remained accessible. Record review showed that the resident had diagnoses including type 2 diabetes, morbid obesity, hypertension, and a history of stroke, and was dependent on staff for bathing. Facility policy required hazardous items, such as toxic chemicals, to be identified and secured to ensure resident safety. Interviews with the DON and Administrator confirmed that residents should not have access to aerosol products in their rooms, and such items should be stored securely. Both acknowledged that the presence of air fresheners in the resident's room was not in accordance with facility policy.