Failure to Maintain Proper Ventilation in Smoke Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an appropriate exhaust system to remove cigarette smoke from the indoor smoke room, resulting in smoke and odor permeating areas frequented by residents and staff. Multiple observations over several days showed that residents and staff entered and exited the smoke room, with several residents smoking inside. The odor of smoke was detected from the lobby entrance, throughout the hallway, and inside and outside the 300 Hall dining room. On one occasion, a visible haze of smoke was observed outside the smoke room. Two floor fans and two garage fans intended to ventilate the area were not turned on during these observations. Interviews with residents, staff, and facility leadership confirmed the presence of smoke odor and visible smoke in the hallways and dining areas. One resident reported smelling smoke in their room when the door was open, and a housekeeper and CNA both noted strong smoke odors and visible smoke outside the smoke room. The Maintenance Director acknowledged that the fans should have been operating but were either turned off by residents or not functioning due to a power issue. The Administrator confirmed that the exhaust fans were broken and that the smoke odor was more pronounced during colder weather when more residents smoked indoors.