Non-GFCI Electrical Outlet Near Sink in Medication Room
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that the facility failed to ensure electrical safety in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2011 Edition, Section 210.8. During an observation in Nursing Station 1's medication room, an electrical outlet was identified 18 inches from a sink that was not equipped with the required ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). The Director of Environmental Services (DES) was present during the observation and confirmed that the outlet, located near the sink, did not have a GFCI. This deficiency affected one of four smoke compartments and was cited as noncompliance with NFPA 101 requirements for utilities, gas, and electric systems. No specific residents or their medical conditions were mentioned in relation to this deficiency, and the report focused solely on the physical environment and the noncompliant electrical installation near the sink in the medication room.
Plan Of Correction
K511 - Utilities - Gas and Electric (NFPA 70) How corrective action(s) will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice. There were no residents identified as directly affected by this deficient practice. Upon identification on 3/12/2026, the facility immediately removed the outlet from use and implemented interim safety measures. A licensed electrician was contacted to install a GFCI-protected outlet at Nursing Station 1 medication room sink area. The GFCI outlet was installed on 3/12/2026 to ensure compliance with NFPA 70 requirements and reduce risk of electrical shock. How the facility will identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken. On 3/12/2026, the Director of Environmental Services (DES) conducted a facility-wide audit of all electrical outlets located within proximity to water sources, including medication rooms, kitchen areas, and resident care areas. Any outlets identified as not GFCI-protected were immediately removed from service and scheduled for correction by a licensed electrician. What measures will be put into place or what systemic changes will the facility make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur. To prevent recurrence, the facility has implemented a preventive maintenance program that includes routine inspection of all electrical outlets near water sources for GFCI compliance. On 3/13/2026, the DES re-educated staff on NFPA 70 requirements, specifically related to GFCI installation near sinks and wet locations. The facility will ensure that all future electrical work is reviewed for compliance with applicable codes and completed by licensed professionals. How the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure that solutions are sustained. The facility must develop a plan for ensuring that correction is achieved and sustained. This plan must be implemented, and the corrective action evaluated for its effectiveness. The POC is integrated into the quality assurance system. The DES or designee will conduct weekly environmental rounds for 3 months to ensure all outlets near water sources are GFCI-protected and functioning properly. Findings will be reported to the Administrator and included in the quarterly QAPI meeting. Any deficiencies will be corrected immediately. The QAPI committee will monitor compliance until sustained. Include dates when corrective actions will be completed. The corrective action completion dates must be acceptable to the State Agency. 4/1/2026
