F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
F

Environmental Disrepair, Linen Shortages, and Excessive Hot Water Temperatures

Ellicott City Healthcare CenterEllicott City, Maryland Survey Completed on 02-19-2026

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment in multiple resident rooms and bathrooms. Surveyors observed in one resident’s bathroom a loose plastic threshold on the shower floor, a shower chair with a jagged piece of plastic where a person would sit, a severely discolored and cracked sink, and multiple gouges in the drywall. In another shared room, two residents identified a large, rough, unsanded spackled area on the wall without paint, additional unsanded or unpainted spackling, gouges in the drywall, stained sinks and toilets, gouges in the toilet bowl, and a gap in the wall near the pipes under the sink. A further resident’s bathroom showed extensive drywall damage with gouges, rough spackling, and holes around piping under the sink, while another resident’s room had peeling paint and drywall, a dresser drawer handle hanging by one screw, multiple areas of chipped paint, and a cracked, discolored bathroom sink. Another resident’s sink was noted to be slow to drain, cracked, and stained. The deficiency also includes the facility’s failure to ensure adequate linens and supplies for activities of daily living (ADLs). One resident reported that the facility was often out of soap, towels, and washcloths, which affected their ability to receive baths or showers. Two GNAs reported frequent or very often shortages of towels and washcloths, stating that these shortages caused delays in providing ADL care such as bed baths and showers, and that they had to plan ahead and improvise because the issue had been ongoing. The Nursing Home Administrator later acknowledged that a systemic change was needed after being informed that residents and staff reported linen shortages impacting timely care. A further deficiency was identified in the facility’s management of hot water temperatures in resident rooms. Surveyors measured bathroom sink water temperatures in several rooms and found readings ranging from 123.7°F to 126.3°F, above the range that maintenance staff stated should be maintained. Maintenance documentation from that same morning showed unit temperatures between 120.9°F and 126.7°F, which had not been reported to supervisors or the Administrator. Subsequent random checks by surveyors found additional room temperatures between 124.3°F and 128.9°F, and the Maintenance Director’s own log showed room temperatures up to 137°F. A resident cautioned surveyors to be careful when checking water temperatures, implying the water became excessively hot. The Administrator and Maintenance Director reported they were unaware of the elevated temperatures recorded by maintenance staff prior to the surveyors’ findings.

Penalty

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.

Resources

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See other F0584 citations
Unclean and Poorly Maintained Resident Rooms
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Unclean and Poorly Maintained Resident Rooms: Two residents were affected by environmental issues in their rooms. One resident’s windowpane had a crack extending the length of the window for months, and staff gave conflicting statements about awareness of the damage. Another resident reported housekeeping was not sweeping or mopping, and trash and a liquid spill remained on the floor between the beds across multiple observations. Resident council notes also documented repeated housekeeping concerns about room cleanliness.

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.
Bathroom Sink Faucet Sprayed Water Onto Floor
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Bathroom Sink Faucet Sprayed Water Onto Floor: A resident with RA, PTSD, and recurrent MDD had a bathroom sink faucet that sprayed water outward and onto the floor instead of downward. The resident said the problem had been present for months and had been reported to CNAs, and a CNA confirmed it had been reported to the charge nurse. Observation and interview with the MD confirmed the faucet issue and that a work order had been received but not repaired because other repairs were prioritized.

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.
Broda Chair Not Kept in Good Repair
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and dependence for ADLs was observed using a broda chair with multiple cracked cushions, exposed foam, and stuffing visible in the headrest and side areas. Staff said broken equipment should be reported for repair or replacement, but the chair remained in use and hospice had not yet been notified; the DON stated equipment was expected to stay in good repair and that the cracked cushions could not be cleaned appropriately.

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.
Unsafe and Unclean Facility Environment
E
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Unsafe and Unclean Facility Environment: Surveyors observed multiple environmental deficiencies, including an unlocked maintenance storage room with stacked AC units, dirty vents, black substance on windowsills, walls, doors, handrails, and equipment, missing or broken light covers, holes in walls, and debris in hallways and the dining room. Staff interviews showed housekeeping cleaned vents and AC units, but filters were not changed and documentation practices were inconsistent, while the facility policy required a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment.

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.
Widespread Odors and Environmental Disrepair in Resident Care Areas
E
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that the facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, and homelike environment, with strong, persistent urine and feces odors noted throughout multiple halls and confirmed by staff. On two nursing units, hallways and resident rooms contained torn flooring, food debris, broken blinds, dirty and leaking toilets and sinks, rusted and corroded fixtures, missing outlet covers with oxygen concentrators plugged in, exposed light sockets, unmade and visibly soiled beds, and black, mold-like substances on walls and around toilet bases. Bathrooms had missing ceiling tiles, cracked door facings with brown stains, used briefs and torn toilet paper on floors, and toilets with brown or rust-like buildup. Outside, the patio and fencing area had broken and rotted railings, exposed rusted nails, fallen palm fronds, and overgrown vegetation, and the Administrator acknowledged the area was not safe for residents. Housekeeping and maintenance staff described daily cleaning and a work-order process, but the Maintenance Director reported being unaware of many of the observed issues, and the DON confirmed there was no specific environmental cleaning policy despite job descriptions and a general policy requiring a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment.

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.
Missing Resident Cell Phone Not Addressed
D
F0584 F584: Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Short Summary

A resident’s cell phone went missing and was not found or replaced, despite staff awareness and documentation that the resident’s personal effects included a phone with charger. The grievance record addressed missing clothing items but did not address the phone, and both the LPN/Resident Care Manager and Administrator stated the issue did not meet expectations.

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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