Failure to Maintain Cleanliness and Minimize Excessive Noise in Resident Areas
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment for three of five sampled residents. For one resident with severely impaired cognition and multiple medical diagnoses, the tray table used during mealtimes was observed to be dirty and cluttered with unnecessary items such as an opened disinfectant wipes container, gloves, masks, disposable undergarments, and plastic bags. This was confirmed by a registered nurse, who acknowledged that the tray table should be clean and uncluttered during meals, and by the Director of Nursing, who stated that residents' rooms should always be clean and clutter-free to promote a homelike environment. Additionally, two other residents, both cognitively intact and with various medical conditions, were affected by frequent activation of an alarm located near their rooms. The alarm, connected to the smoking patio gate, was triggered repeatedly as staff entered and exited through the gate to access laundry, maintenance storage, and the parking area. During a two-hour observation period, the alarm sounded 34 times. Staff interviews revealed that the alarm often activated because the time allowed to enter the deactivation code was insufficient. Both residents reported being disturbed by the frequent alarm noise, with one stating that the sound bothered him when his door was open and the other noting that he had become accustomed to the noise over time. The Director of Nursing confirmed that excessive noise from the alarm could disrupt the calm, homelike environment expected for residents, especially those with rooms near the smoking patio door. Facility policy requires maintaining a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for all residents.