Failure to Maintain Cleanliness and Safe Use of Space Heater in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment in a resident’s room, including ensuring treatment and supports for daily living were provided safely. The resident, who was moderately cognitively impaired per the quarterly MDS, was admitted on a specified date and occupied room 50, bed 2. During observation, the floor by the window was littered with debris such as ear cleaners, wrappers, and pill containers. The window sill, blinds, and floor trim had dark yellow-brown substances. The bed sheet contained food particles and stains of varying shapes and colors. When the Housekeeping Manager later observed the room and moved the bed with a foot, brownish-yellow liquid was seen oozing from under the bed frame legs, and the manager stated the room was very dirty and had not been deep cleaned for a long time. The Housekeeping Manager also acknowledged that cleaning rooms with potential pathogens was very important to decrease the risk of spreading infection. In addition to the unsanitary conditions, a large disc space heater was found on the dresser beneath a large corkboard. The heater was turned on, producing a bright orange glow, and its plug was only halfway inserted into the outlet. Piles of clothes, bedding, and personal items were crowded around the heater. The Maintenance Manager stated that the fire marshal allowed heaters in facilities but required at least three feet of clearance from any object and acknowledged that there were too many items close to the heater, including the corkboard, creating a fire hazard. When asked how staff would know the regulations regarding space heaters in resident rooms, the Maintenance Manager responded that they “should just know.” The Administrator later stated that the resident often refused to have the room cleaned and that staff should have reported the room’s condition and refusals to management, especially when there was concern for infectious diseases.
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