F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
F

Failure to Maintain Adequate Heat, Hot Water, Call Systems, and Building Repairs

Lacon Rehab And NursingLacon, Illinois Survey Completed on 01-13-2026

Summary

The facility failed to provide adequate heating, hot water, and building maintenance, resulting in an environment that was not safe, clean, or comfortable for residents, staff, and the public. Facility policies on homelike environment, cold weather, and resident call bells required maintenance of safe temperature levels, regular inspection and maintenance of heating and air conditioning systems, and a functional call system accessible from resident beds, toilets, and bathing areas. During a tour with the Maintenance Director, water temperatures on one hall measured 110–116°F, while on another hall they were only 75–77°F. The Maintenance Director acknowledged an ongoing problem with a mixing valve on the affected hall and stated that it was supposed to have been fixed by a plumber but was not. Multiple bathrooms were in disrepair: one resident’s bathroom had chipped paint and missing drywall under the sink; two other rooms had no running water to sinks or toilets, wet and stained bath blankets on the floor under sinks, black slimy-looking substances in toilets, and a black mold-like area in front of a toilet. The Maintenance Director stated that the sink and toilet were clogged and he had not had a chance to fix them. Ceiling tiles across the front hallway were discolored with brown stains and a mildew smell was noted; the Maintenance Director attributed this to condensation leaking into the tiles when boilers were turned up and stated he was the only maintenance person and had difficulty keeping up with repairs. Residents reported and demonstrated discomfort and lack of access to required systems. One resident was observed sitting in his room wearing a jacket and wrapped in a blanket, stating it was always cold on the southeast side of the building and that it smelled moldy in the front where ceiling tiles appeared wet; the wall behind his chair had gouges with crumbling plaster on the floor. When this resident pressed his call light, it illuminated only while the button was held down, and the second bed’s call cord consisted of open wires with no call button. Another resident was observed wearing a long-sleeve shirt and coat, reporting that his room had been warm until a recent weekend, that he told staff it was too cold but received no response, and that he stayed in bed wrapped in covers. A third resident, dressed in warm clothing with a shawl and blanket, stated her room was cold; a wall clock in her room showed 63°F. Another resident was using a handheld bell to call for assistance, stating he had no call light, and he and other residents confirmed there was no hot water in their rooms. Staff verified that certain room call lights stayed on all day or activated by themselves, that water on one side of the building only became warm but not hot, and that they heated water in an electric tea pot at the nurses’ station for showers and washing. The Administrator confirmed that water and room temperatures were not at proper levels and that many repairs were needed, while the Maintenance Director confirmed ongoing problems with the mixing valve and boiler and that water temperatures on one side of the building were in the mid‑70s°F.

Penalty

16 days payment denial
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

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See other F0921 citations
Unsanitary Hair Salon and Open Kitchen Drain
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

An open floor drain near the dish machine was observed without a grate, and the FSM confirmed it had no grate and was unsure how long it had been open. In the Hair Salon, the sink drain filter had a glob of hair, and 3 brushes plus a box of hair curlers had hair on them; the AD and HS both confirmed the unsanitary conditions, and the HS stated she might have forgotten to clean the salon after the beautician visit.

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Dirty resident room and unclean memory care dining room
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

A resident room was observed in disrepair with unpainted wall areas, black marks, discoloration, ceiling staining, and scuffed, missing paint on the door frame, and the same conditions remained on follow-up. The memory care dining room floor also had food crumbs and debris under multiple tables; an LPN said it appeared not to have been cleaned after the prior night's meal, and the administrator confirmed the food was still present.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Leaking and Loose Faucets in Facility Sinks
F
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Leaking and Loose Faucets in Facility Sinks: During a facility tour, a beauty shop style sink was observed leaking where the faucet connected to the sink, and maintenance staff stated they were not aware it needed repair. A sink in the soiled linens room on D/F Hall was also observed with a loose swivel faucet that leaked when turned on, and maintenance staff confirmed the observation.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Sharps Containers Left Full and Unusable
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Sharps containers on a locked dementia unit were observed full to the point that they could not be opened, including one in a shower room with three uncapped used disposable razors sitting on top of it and another on a medication cart. The DON and an LPN confirmed the containers were unusable, and the LPN noted two residents on the unit required routine blood glucose monitoring with lancets that would need disposal in a sharps container.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Resident Room Walls Found Moist, Stained, and Damaged
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Resident room walls were observed with moisture, black/gray staining resembling mildew or mold-like substance, bubbling paint, cracks, gouges, and dirty vents in multiple rooms, including B-2, B-4, B-6, B-8, B-10, and B-12. The Tel's record review showed no reports about the wall conditions for the past 6 months, and the ADM stated the moisture had been present for a while and had not previously been brought to the ADM and Maintenance Director's attention.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Broken Bedside Table Within Resident Reach
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and anticoagulant use had a bedside table within reach that was observed to be broken, with an unfinished edge, exposed particle board, splinters, and wood chips on the tabletop. A CNA confirmed the table was in poor repair and accessible to the resident.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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