Unsafe and Unsanitary Environmental Conditions
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary environment during environmental tours of the North, [NAME], and South units. Surveyors observed multiple linen carts with ripped covers and damaged shelving while clean linens and gowns were stored inside them, including carts parked in hallways between resident rooms and near rooms with posted isolation or precaution signs. The DON and LED were present for some of these observations and confirmed that the items inside the carts were considered clean linens and gowns, while the LNHA later stated the linen carts were brand new. Surveyors also observed environmental cleanliness concerns in resident areas. In one resident room, the toilet room ceiling vent had grayish and whitish substances, and two residents were in their beds in the room at the time. In the South unit central bath, the LNHA accompanied the surveyor and observed ceiling air vents in multiple shower cubicles with grayish, blackish, and brownish-grayish substances. When asked about the material in the vents, the LNHA stated it was not dust and later said it was aesthetic and needed to be painted. Additional observations on the South unit found chipped paint and exposed wallboard behind the bed near the window in three resident rooms, with chipped paint also noted on windowsills in two of those rooms. The Maintenance Director acknowledged the concerns and stated that his rounds did not routinely include resident rooms, and that repairs were addressed through staff submissions in the electronic maintenance system. The facility’s Homelike Environment policy stated that residents are provided with a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, and the laundry and linen policy stated that clean linen should remain hygienically clean through measures designed to protect it from environmental contamination, such as covering clean linen carts.
Penalty
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