F0917 F917: Make sure each resident has 1) at least one window to the outside in a room; 2) a room at or above ground level; 3) adequate bedding; 4) furniture that meets the resident's needs; or 5) adequate closet space.
F

Shared Closet Space Lacked Separation in Double Occupancy Rooms

Laurelwood Healthcare CenterElkton, Maryland Survey Completed on 01-30-2026

Summary

The facility failed to provide individual closet space that kept each resident's clothing separate from their roommate's belongings in all double occupancy rooms. During observations, double occupancy rooms 120, 128, 215, 221, 225, 228, and 229 were found to have no physical separation of items in the shared closet. An LPN stated that residents in double occupancy rooms shared one closet, along with a large dresser and individual side tables. A resident interviewed in one of the rooms stated they shared the closet space with their roommate, and no partition was noted inside the closet to separate belongings. The concern about the lack of private closet space was then addressed with the Nursing Home Administrator.

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

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0917 citations
Lack of Comfortable Chairs in Resident Rooms
E
F0917 F917: Make sure each resident has 1) at least one window to the outside in a room; 2) a room at or above ground level; 3) adequate bedding; 4) furniture that meets the resident's needs; or 5) adequate closet space.
Short Summary

Lack of Comfortable Chairs in Resident Rooms: Surveyors observed that five residents did not have a chair in their rooms, and each resident confirmed the absence of a chair during interview. The DON later stated that each resident should have a chair in the room.

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.
Failure to Provide a Clean Therapeutic Mattress
D
F0917 F917: Make sure each resident has 1) at least one window to the outside in a room; 2) a room at or above ground level; 3) adequate bedding; 4) furniture that meets the resident's needs; or 5) adequate closet space.
Short Summary

A resident was found to be sleeping on a low air flow therapeutic mattress with a dark brown circular stain. An LVN reported that the stain did not look appealing and that the mattress should have been changed. The DON and DOH later reviewed a photograph of the mattress and confirmed the dark brown stain, acknowledging it should have been removed and replaced. This situation occurred despite a facility policy stating that residents are to be provided with 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.
Missing Closet Door and Drawer in Resident Room
D
F0917 F917: Make sure each resident has 1) at least one window to the outside in a room; 2) a room at or above ground level; 3) adequate bedding; 4) furniture that meets the resident's needs; or 5) adequate closet space.
Short Summary

A resident with spinal stenosis, polyneuropathy, and unsteadiness on feet was found in a room with a closet missing a door and a top drawer, with clothes stored in plastic bags inside the open closet. The resident, CNA, MTD, and DON all confirmed the closet lacked the expected doors and drawers, and the resident stated the room had been without a closet door since moving in and felt like a slum.

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.
Failure to Provide Private Closet Space in Semi-Private Rooms
D
F0917 F917: Make sure each resident has 1) at least one window to the outside in a room; 2) a room at or above ground level; 3) adequate bedding; 4) furniture that meets the resident's needs; or 5) adequate closet space.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that all 46 semi-private rooms had only one shared closet without partitions, causing roommates’ clothing and personal items to touch and become intermingled on shelves and floors. A tour confirmed that no semi-private room closets had partitions to separate belongings, and the DON acknowledged that none of the closets provided private closet space for individual residents.

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.
Bed Size and Positioning Did Not Meet Resident Needs
D
F0917 F917: Make sure each resident has 1) at least one window to the outside in a room; 2) a room at or above ground level; 3) adequate bedding; 4) furniture that meets the resident's needs; or 5) adequate closet space.
Short Summary

Bed Size and Positioning Did Not Meet Resident Needs: A resident was observed in bed with the feet hanging off the end and the ankles resting on the foot board, and the resident stated he/she could not sleep because the bed was too small. The resident had intact cognition and a height of 72 inches. The ADON and RDCS stated residents should be assessed for a larger bed or extender based on fit, comfort, height, weight, or preference, and the facility policy required ongoing evaluation of individual needs and preferences.

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 Closet Doors Exposed Residents’ Belongings
D
F0917 F917: Make sure each resident has 1) at least one window to the outside in a room; 2) a room at or above ground level; 3) adequate bedding; 4) furniture that meets the resident's needs; or 5) adequate closet space.
Short Summary

Missing Closet Doors Exposed Residents’ Belongings: Two residents’ rooms lacked closet doors, leaving personal belongings visible and accessible to others. One resident said the door had been removed months earlier because it was loose and unsafe, but the promised replacement and curtain never occurred. Maintenance staff reported multiple doors had been taken down because they were falling off the hinges, and the NHA said replacement timing was unknown.

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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