Unsafe and Unhomelike Environment in Hallways and Dining Areas
Summary
The facility failed to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment when hallway handrails were removed for painting and left unreplaced, exposing metal wall anchors protruding about two inches from the wall at a height of about 33 inches. Observations showed residents using the hallway walls to propel wheelchairs and to balance while walking in the same area where the anchors were exposed. The maintenance staff person stated he would reinstall the handrail after the surveyor pointed out the exposed anchors, but he did not see how they would be harmful. The DON and Administrator both stated they did not view the exposed anchors as a safety issue and compared them to door handles. The dining and lounge areas also contained multiple environmental issues. In station 2, observations revealed discolored ceiling tiles with stains, handprints, and fingerprints, an exposed cable wire suspended from the ceiling to the lower outer wall, a ventilation screen door not fully engaged into the ceiling, hoyer sling pads hung against the wall, medication carts left in the dining room, and an unlocked rollator walker left in the dining area. A crash cart was later observed obstructed by equipment and not easily accessible in the event of a medical emergency. Staff stated the cable wire, ventilation cover, and storage of items in the dining area were known conditions, and the LPN said the medication carts were usually stored there and the hoyer slings and wheelchairs had always been stored there. In station 4 restorative dining, observations over several days showed two exercise machines, cornhole gaming activity, and a wheelchair scale stored along the perimeter of the dining room while residents ate there. The Unit Manager acknowledged the exercise machines could be stored elsewhere, and the wheelchair scale was used by only one resident. The DON stated she had no concerns with the exposed wall mounts or the exercise equipment in the dining area, though she expected crash carts to be easily accessible. The Administrator stated daily rounds and maintenance logbooks were used to monitor the environment and said she did not see harm in the exposed wall mounts or the stored equipment.
Penalty
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