F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
E

Security and Cleanliness Deficiencies in Facility

Othello Post AcuteOthello, Washington Survey Completed on 10-11-2024

Summary

The facility failed to ensure the security of rooms containing sharps, chemicals, and tools, as observed in three out of four shower rooms and one resident room. In the shower rooms, unlocked cabinets were found containing items such as disposable razors, shampoo, and multi-purpose cleansers. Additionally, a tool chest with power tools and sharp objects was left unlocked in a shower room that was being used for storage. Staff interviews confirmed that these items should have been secured to prevent resident access. In one resident room, a project work sign was posted, but the door was left unlocked with no staff present. Inside, unsecured items such as a can of paint, a caulking gun, and a box cutting knife were found. The Maintenance Manager acknowledged that these items should not have been left unattended and unsecured, especially since the room could not be locked during ongoing work. Resident 2, who had a traumatic brain injury and quadriplegia, was observed in a wheelchair with a lap belt that was unclean and had food debris on it. This was noted on multiple occasions, and staff interviews revealed that the responsibility for cleaning the wheelchairs and lap belts fell to the night shift nursing assistants. The Director of Nursing emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness for hygiene and dignity.

Penalty

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.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0921 citations
Unsafe and unsanitary resident rooms with clutter, uncovered food, and rodent activity
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Unsafe and unsanitary resident rooms were observed with clutter, uncovered food, and rodent activity. A resident with schizophrenia and depression had food crumbs and meat under the bed, while another resident reported mouse droppings and hoarded food in a crowded room. Other rooms had overflowing bins, bags of belongings, and uncovered food, and staff reported that some residents refused housekeeping access and that pest control service in resident rooms was inconsistent.

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.
Strong urine odor in Hallway B
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Strong urine odor in Hallway B. Surveyors repeatedly observed a noticeable urine smell at the beginning of and down Hallway B, including near the entrance where multiple residents were sitting in the hall. CNA 1 and CNA 2 both confirmed the odor, and the DON acknowledged the facility was aware of the strong smell at the entrance of Hallway B and cited the facility policy that residents have the right to a clean and comfortable 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.
Failure to Maintain Homelike and Well-Maintained Resident Rooms
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Multiple rooms on one unit were found with environmental deficiencies, including broken and unsecured electrical outlets, damaged and stained walls and ceilings, improvised extensions on light cords using a plastic bag and a washcloth, dripping and constantly running sink faucets with discolored grout, and a strong urine odor in one room. A review of work orders and an interview with the Facilities Director showed that only two work orders had been submitted for this unit, both generated after surveyor observations, indicating that unit staff had not routinely initiated maintenance requests for these conditions.

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 Maintain Resident Rooms and Hallway Flooring in Safe, Homelike Condition
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

The facility did not maintain a safe, comfortable, and homelike environment, as evidenced by two residents with dementia and other comorbidities living in rooms with multiple wall holes, chipped drywall, missing paint, and water-stained ceilings, and by extensive uneven flooring in two main halls. Observations showed numerous divots, chipped areas around drainage covers, and partially filled floor defects near the nurses' station and along the East and South halls. A resident reported wheelchairs becoming stuck in these floor ruts, and maintenance staff confirmed both the room damage and the lack of flush flooring around drains, as well as the absence of a current repair plan.

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.
Clogged Janitor Room Floor Drain and Black Water Overflow
F
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

A clogged floor drain sink in a janitor room led to black, dirty water accumulating in the drain and overflowing into a hallway. A housekeeper reported that the drain, used for disposing of mop water and cleaning chemicals, had been clogged for some time and that she had informed her supervisor. The housekeeping supervisor stated she had submitted several work orders and that housekeeping staff had been attempting to unclog the drain themselves for months, while the maintenance director reported having no active work orders for the issue and indicated that such black water can carry harmful microorganisms. The administrator stated he expects staff to submit work orders and report issues promptly.

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 Maintain Safe and Well-Repaired Ceilings and Plumbing
F
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

The facility did not maintain ceiling structures and plumbing in a safe and clean condition, resulting in long‑standing stained and bulging ceiling tiles above the nurses’ station and an actively leaking pipe in the ice machine/vending area. Surveyors observed missing ceiling tiles exposing insulation, wiring, and water pipes, standing water collected in a trash can, and soaked blankets and towels on the floor. An RN and an LPN reported that the ceiling tiles above the nurses’ station had been stained for months or longer, and that the ceiling had been leaking in the ice machine area for several days, where the ice machine is used for all residents. The Regional Maintenance Director confirmed the stained tiles and the leaking pipe and acknowledged that the tiles had not yet been replaced.

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.
Citation search

Search every citation & Plan of Correction

Go to search
Citation watch

Track new serious citations across Washington

Get a heads-up on the newest immediate-jeopardy (J–L) citations in Washington — where surveyors are focused right now.

Free · about one email a month

Trusted data from CMS and state health departments

Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release August 26, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.

In your survey window? See what surveyors are citing.

The Survey-Prep Report maps your facility's risk from 12 months of CMS and state citation data — what's being cited around you and what to check first. $129 one-time.

Get the Survey-Prep Report
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙

Connection lost — reconnecting… We couldn't reconnect automatically. Please reload the page to continue.