Failure to Prevent Accident Hazard: Disposable Razors Left in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's environment was free from accident hazards by allowing a resident to keep disposable razors in his room without proper care planning or staff awareness. Record review showed that the resident, a male with diagnoses including diabetes, sequelae of cerebrovascular disease, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and chronic pain syndrome, required supervision or limited assistance with personal hygiene. Observations on two consecutive days revealed three disposable razors beside the resident's sink. Interviews with the resident confirmed he shaves himself and that staff typically provide and retrieve the razors, but on these occasions, the razors remained in his room. Staff interviews indicated uncertainty about whether residents were permitted to keep disposable razors in their rooms, with no clear directives or policies communicated to them. The care plan for the resident did not address the use or storage of razors, and both the DON and Administrator confirmed that such permissions should be documented in the care plan but were not. The facility did not have a policy regarding the storage of disposable razors in resident rooms, and staff acknowledged potential dangers associated with residents having access to razors, including self-harm or harm to others.