Failure to Maintain Clean Environment and Proper Laundry Management
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a clean, safe, and homelike environment for residents, as evidenced by persistent cleanliness issues and mismanagement of residents' personal laundry. Observations over several days revealed multiple dried spills, dirt, debris, and bug traps with accumulated dust and insects throughout various hallways and resident rooms. Specific rooms and common areas were noted to have unclean floors, uncollected trash, and visible stains, despite cleaning logs indicating recent cleaning. Residents and staff reported ongoing complaints about inadequate housekeeping, with grievances and Resident Council minutes documenting repeated concerns about insufficient cleaning, especially in resident rooms, bathrooms, and dining areas. Laundry management was also deficient, with staff interviews and observations indicating that residents' clothing was frequently unlabeled, leading to confusion and loss of personal items. Laundry staff described a process where unmarked clothing was hung on racks in hallways, as they were unable to identify the owners. Missing item forms and grievance forms were often completed when residents reported lost clothing, but inventories were not consistently updated when new items were brought in. This resulted in a significant accumulation of unclaimed clothing and limited storage space. Staff also noted that families sometimes resisted labeling clothing, further complicating the process. These deficiencies culminated in an altercation between two residents when one resident recognized his clothing being worn by another. The clothing in question had been relabeled with the second resident's name after the original label was crossed out. Facility records showed multiple grievances related to missing clothing and laundry delays, as well as complaints about room and facility cleanliness. Staff interviews confirmed that these issues were ongoing and had been raised repeatedly by residents and staff alike.