Failure to Maintain Homelike Environment Due to Unaddressed Room Repairs
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment for three residents, as required by its own policy and federal regulations. One resident experienced ongoing difficulty accessing their closet due to malfunctioning doors that had not been properly repaired for over a month. The maintenance director acknowledged that the closet doors were outdated and that replacement parts were not readily available at local stores. The resident was shown a workaround that required physically lifting and moving the door, which was challenging, and there was no written documentation of the repair request. Another resident reported water damage to the ceiling in their room that had been present since moving in several years prior. The resident did not report the issue, believing that staff were already aware and had no intention of repairing it. The maintenance director confirmed that leaks from the sprinkler system had caused water damage in the past and that repairs to the ceiling tiles were made after leaks, but there was no routine practice of inspecting rooms for needed repairs. The director of nursing stated that maintenance staff were expected to conduct regular rounds to identify and address such issues. A third resident's room had a large area of ceiling without the required texture spray, resulting in a visibly unfinished appearance. The maintenance director had purchased the necessary materials to complete the repair but had not applied the texture before the resident moved in. The director of nursing indicated that all repairs should be completed prior to a resident occupying a room. These findings were based on observations, resident and staff interviews, and review of facility policies and documentation.