Failure to Maintain Safe, Clean, and Comfortable Shower Environment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment for its residents, as evidenced by issues with water temperature and cleanliness in the A Wing shower rooms. Two residents with intact cognitive status (BIMS scores of 14 and 15) reported that the shower water was not sufficiently warm, with one resident opting for bed baths due to discomfort. During an observation, the Maintenance Supervisor measured the shower water temperature after running it for seven minutes, finding it only reached 97.4°F, which was acknowledged as not warm enough for a comfortable shower. Additionally, observations of the A Wing shower rooms revealed poor cleanliness and improper storage of personal hygiene items. Multiple wash rags were stacked on sharps containers, numerous bottles of hygiene products were left on the floor, and towels and wash rags were found on chairs and the floor, some appearing dirty. The Administrator confirmed that these items should not be stored in the shower rooms. A review of facility policy indicated that personal hygiene products should be stored in individual resident rooms or designated storage areas to prevent cross-contamination, which was not being followed.