Failure to Maintain Safe and Homelike Environment Due to Damaged Heater Covers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment for its residents, as required by policy. Observations revealed that baseboard heater covers in multiple resident rooms and a common area were bent, broken, or missing, exposing internal metal heating elements. In several rooms, the residents' beds were positioned close to these exposed heaters, and the heating elements were warm to the touch. The exposed heaters were found in at least one of three hallways and in the main dining and activities area, which is used by residents for communal purposes. Interviews with facility staff indicated that heater covers frequently became dislodged or damaged due to bed movements or wheelchair contact. The Maintenance Director reported conducting weekly checks to address these issues, and the DON acknowledged the recurring problem with the heater covers, noting that the facility was considering replacement covers due to their deteriorated condition. The facility's policy requires maintaining a safe and homelike environment, but the ongoing issue with heater covers resulted in areas where residents were exposed to potential hazards.