Failure to Maintain Safe and Hazard-Free Resident Environment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment for a resident who required substantial assistance with activities of daily living and was at risk for falls. Observations revealed that the resident's room contained a large extension cord running across the floor from the television to an outlet, despite there being an available outlet on the same wall as the television. Additionally, another extension cord was connected to two fans, and the bed adjuster on top of the resident's bed had exposed wires. During interviews, the Maintenance Supervisor acknowledged the presence of the extension cords and stated that they posed a tripping hazard and should not have been used. He also noted that the exposed wires on the bed adjuster, while a low shock risk, should not be exposed. The Administrator was not aware of these hazards until informed and agreed that such conditions could lead to fire or falls. The facility's policy requires maintaining an environment that promotes quality of life and protects resident rights, but these conditions were not met in this instance.