Excessive Noise From Hall Door Alarm Disturbed Residents
Summary
The facility failed to provide maintenance for comfortable sound levels and failed to ensure that four residents lived in an environment free from excessive noise. The deficiency involved a door alarm on the 400-hall that sounded loudly when the exterior door did not shut completely. The report identified residents with varying cognitive status and diagnoses, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with a BIMS score of 7, Parkinson’s disease with a BIMS score of 15, and another resident with COPD, depression, bipolar disorder, insomnia, and a BIMS score of 11. Their care plans reflected that discharge was not feasible and that staff were to provide or respect a homelike environment. During observations, surveyors repeatedly heard the 400-hall door alarm sounding loudly when the door was opened or not fully latched. CNA staff demonstrated that the door required force to close completely and that if it was not shut all the way, the alarm would activate. The alarm was observed sounding when the SW walked in from outside, when the door was ajar, and even when the door appeared latched. Staff members acknowledged that the alarm had been a recurring issue and that residents had complained about it. One resident stated the noise woke him up sometimes, another said it woke him up every night, another said it bothered him, and another said it had been going off since she had been there and sometimes woke her up. The Maintenance Director stated he was aware of the alarm and that an air bubble between the doors caused suction, requiring a part to be added about two months earlier. He also stated a sign had been posted to remind staff to pull the door shut. The DON stated there was no policy on homelike environment and acknowledged that a loud sound could scare or startle residents. The Administrator stated the facility tried to keep things as homelike as possible, was aware the alarm bothered residents, and acknowledged that the alarm could interrupt residents’ rest or agitate them.
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