Noise Disturbance and Dust Buildup in Resident Areas
Summary
The facility failed to maintain comfortable sound levels for two residents who were observed and interviewed about noise in their living areas. One resident, admitted with heart failure and obstructive sleep apnea, stated that a CNA was very loud when entering the room and that the loud voice startled him and disturbed rest. Another resident, admitted with alcohol dependence and depression, reported that early morning noise near the nurses’ station was very loud, including loud music and staff conversation, and that it sometimes awakened residents and made it difficult to go back to sleep. During interview, the DSD acknowledged awareness of complaints about a specific staff member being very loud and stated that the facility should be restful and homelike, with noise levels that do not interrupt sleeping time, especially in the early morning. The DSD also stated that in-service training had been provided regarding maintaining a comfortable noise level. However, the in-service training minutes reviewed for noise level did not include the specific staff member identified by residents. A CNA interviewed separately stated that she was aware she was loud and needed to tone down her voice so as not to disturb residents, especially if they were sleeping. The facility also failed to provide a clean and homelike environment for another resident when dust was observed on the base of the facility-provided fan and on the wall covering with cords behind it at the resident’s bedside. The resident was cognitively intact and required assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, and personal hygiene. The Maintenance Supervisor observed and validated the dust buildup, stated the fan came from facility storage, and said there should not have been dust in those areas. He stated housekeeping should have cleaned the areas as part of regular duties and that the dust could affect the air quality in the resident’s room.
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