F0921

D

Failure to Maintain Functional Window Locks and Screens in Resident Rooms

Sedro Woolley, Washington Survey Completed on 02-23-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The facility failed to maintain safe, functional, and comfortable resident rooms by not repairing broken window locking devices and not ensuring the presence and integrity of window screens in 2 of 3 rooms reviewed. A family member of a resident reported that upon the resident’s move-in, the left window panel in the resident’s room had a broken locking mechanism and no window screen, leaving the window unsecured. The family member stated that instead of replacing the locking mechanism, the facility initially placed a screw in the window frame to limit how far the window could open, but the window could still be tilted to bypass the screw. The family member further reported that the facility later placed a wooden dowel between the sliding windows and had communicated via email that the window lock was secured, despite the ongoing concerns.

During observations of three rooms, one room was found to have a screw in the left window frame, no window screens, no locking mechanism on the left side, and a wooden dowel between the windows. Another room had window screens and functional locking mechanisms on both sides. A third room had an intact and functional locking mechanism on the left window, but the right window’s locking mechanism was missing the knob used to operate it, leaving the window in a locked position; the screens were present, but one had a hole in the bottom left corner. The Maintenance Director reported learning of the missing locking mechanism only a few weeks prior and confirmed placing a screw in the frame where the lock would engage, acknowledging that the window could still be tilted to bypass the screw. The Maintenance Director also stated there were no written maintenance requests or documentation for these issues, only verbal communications with nursing staff and the Administrator.