Failure to Secure Razors and Sharp Objects Accessible to Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an environment free from accident hazards and did not adequately control resident access to sharp objects. One resident with a documented diagnosis of depressive disorder expressed suicidal ideation and was later found during nursing rounds with multiple self-inflicted lacerations on the left wrist and a razor in hand, stating he wanted to harm himself. This resident was transferred to an acute hospital for further evaluation and treatment of the self-inflicted injuries. The report does not indicate how this resident obtained the razor, and the Administrator acknowledged the facility did not know how the resident got it. Another resident, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and anxiety and documented as having decision-making capacity, was observed with a beard and stated he was independent with shaving. During an observation and interview in this resident’s room, the resident retrieved a personal bag from the closet that contained two razors and two pairs of scissors, which the resident stated had been supplied by facility staff. An LVN confirmed that sharp items were not supposed to be stored in residents’ rooms. Additionally, an RN demonstrated that razors for resident use were stored in an unlocked, transparent drawer cart at a nurse station and in an unlocked drawer inside an unlocked supply closet near common areas, all easily accessible to residents. The RN acknowledged that these razors were not secured and were easily accessible to residents.
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