Failure to Maintain Safe, Clean, and Homelike Environment
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple failures by the facility to maintain a safe, clean, and comfortable homelike environment for residents across several units. Observations revealed numerous instances of disrepair and poor housekeeping, including rusty metal legs on closets, chipped paint, holes in wallpaper, ripped chairs, cracked tables, dusty and stained air conditioning units, and gaps between walls and AC units. Dining rooms and resident bathrooms were found with sticky substances, tarnished fixtures, ripped or missing window screens, stained window shades, mismatched and cracked tiles, and non-functioning bathroom lights. In several rooms, radiators and heating/cooling systems were rusted or stained, and vents were clogged or dirty. Floors were observed with debris, and some walls and ceilings had stains, peeling paint, or bubbles. Interviews with facility staff, including the Maintenance Director, Director of Nursing, Housekeeping Director, and Administrator, confirmed awareness of many of these issues. Staff cited ongoing renovations, staffing shortages, and challenges with resident cooperation as reasons for delays in repairs and maintenance. The Maintenance Director acknowledged that some repairs, such as replacing rusted radiators or fixing window screens, were pending due to contractor delays or difficulty accessing resident rooms. Housekeeping staff were responsible for cleaning, but persistent issues with cleanliness and maintenance remained unaddressed in several areas. Documentation reviewed included the facility's Maintenance Policy and Procedure Manual and Cleaning Resident and Non-Resident Area policy, both of which outlined expectations for maintaining the building in good repair and ensuring cleanliness. Despite these policies, the facility failed to uphold the standards, as evidenced by the ongoing environmental deficiencies observed throughout the survey period. No specific resident medical histories or conditions were detailed in relation to the deficiencies.