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

Failure to Maintain Adequate Hand Hygiene Supplies

Markley Rehabilitation And Healthcare CenterNorristown, Pennsylvania Survey Completed on 03-04-2025

Summary

The facility failed to ensure the availability of disposable paper towels on the second floor, which is a requirement under 42 CFR Part 483, Subpart B, and the 28 PA Code. During a tour of the second floor, it was observed that there were no paper towels in the dispensers in several resident bathrooms, including rooms 235, 212, 255, 217, and the visitor's bathroom across from the nursing station. This lack of supplies is contrary to the facility's hand hygiene policy, which mandates that hand hygiene products and supplies be readily accessible and convenient for staff use to encourage compliance with hand hygiene policies. Interviews with staff revealed that the issue was known but not promptly addressed. A licensed nurse, identified as Employee E14, reported calling the front desk twice to request housekeeping to replenish the paper towels on the second floor. The facility administrator, Employee E1, confirmed the shortage of paper towels and acknowledged that some dispensers in resident bathrooms and the hall bathroom were empty. This deficiency indicates a failure to maintain a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment for residents, staff, and the public as required by the regulations.

Plan Of Correction

No Resident were negatively affected by not having adequate supply of paper towels. The facility completed an audit of all resident rooms to identify any areas that did not have paper towels. The Environmental services director was in serviced on the importance of always having adequate supplies in the center. The environmental services department in serviced on ensuring all paper towel dispensers are properly stocked. The Administrator /designee will audit 5 random rooms 3 times per week for 4 weeks then 5 random rooms weekly for 2 months. Audit findings will be submitted to the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee monthly for further review and recommendations as needed. Further audit frequency will be determined based on the outcome of the previously completed audit findings.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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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

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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.
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