Failure to Maintain Safe and Homelike Environment Due to Poor Maintenance Tracking
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for residents, as evidenced by multiple observations of environmental deficiencies across several units. Surveyors noted visible dark water stains on ceiling tiles in numerous resident rooms, community areas, and bathrooms. Additional issues included torn window curtains, missing ceramic tiles under bathroom sinks, and makeshift repairs with sheet rock that did not adequately cover gaps. Noisy exhaust fans and sinks producing banging and rattling noises were also observed. These deficiencies were not systematically tracked or documented, and the maintenance binders intended for reporting such issues were inconsistently used, with entries often lacking specifics, dates, or resolution information. Interviews with the Director of Maintenance revealed the absence of a formal system to track or prioritize maintenance needs, relying instead on informal verbal reports and personal recollection. During a walkthrough, the Director of Maintenance was unable to specify the extent of needed repairs or provide timelines for completion. Furthermore, a significant plumbing incident involving a burst pipe in the Physical Therapy room was not formally documented, and the Director of Maintenance was unaware of the event, its cause, or its resolution. These lapses in maintenance reporting and follow-through contributed to the ongoing unsafe and uncomfortable environment for residents.