Putnam Center: Infection Control Failures - WV
The odor hit them upon entering the building on October 27. It was strong and unpleasant, permeating the entire facility. When inspectors returned the next morning for rounds, the smell remained.
The 116-bed nursing home failed to maintain a clean, safe environment for residents, according to the state inspection report. Inspectors documented the persistent odor as affecting the facility's ability to provide a homelike atmosphere required under federal regulations.
On the evening of October 27, at 5:50 PM, a state surveyor confronted the Corporate Registered Nurse about the smell that had been obvious to inspectors throughout their initial tours and investigations.
The nurse didn't deny it.
"Almost smells like they have someone that's going somewhere," the Corporate Registered Nurse told the inspector, according to the report. "I'll have them look into it."
The acknowledgment came more than 24 hours after inspectors first detected the problem. By then, the odor had persisted through an entire day of state oversight activities at the facility.
Inspectors classified the violation as having minimal harm but potential for actual harm to residents. The failed practice affected "more than a limited number of residents" at the facility, according to the report.
The inspection was prompted by a complaint, though the specific nature of that complaint was not detailed in the available documentation. The odor issue emerged as what inspectors termed "a random opportunity for discovery" during their investigation.
Federal regulations require nursing homes to honor residents' right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment. This includes ensuring residents receive treatment and supports for daily living safely, without the interference of environmental hazards like persistent odors.
Putnam Center's own policies promised residents a different standard of care. The facility's Resident Room Cleaning and Floor Care Policy, managed by Healthcare Services Group, committed to "providing a safe, clean and hygienic environment for residents, staff, and visitors in accordance with regulatory guidance and industry best practices."
The reality inspectors found fell short of that commitment.
The odor wasn't isolated to a single area or room. Inspectors documented smelling it "throughout the building" and "throughout the facility" during their visits on consecutive days. The persistence and scope suggested a systemic environmental control problem rather than an isolated incident.
When the Corporate Registered Nurse promised to "have them look into it," the response indicated the facility hadn't already identified or addressed the source of the smell that was obvious to visiting inspectors.
The timing raised additional concerns. Inspectors detected the odor immediately upon entering on October 27. They documented it again during morning rounds on October 28. The corporate nurse's interview occurred on the evening of the first day, meaning facility leadership had been aware of the state inspection and the odor issue for hours before promising an investigation.
Environmental conditions like persistent odors can affect residents' quality of life, dignity, and sense of home. For elderly residents who spend most or all of their time in the facility, environmental problems become daily realities rather than temporary inconveniences.
The inspection occurred at a facility housing 116 residents, meaning the environmental failure potentially affected a substantial number of people who depend on Putnam Center for their daily care and living environment.
State inspectors classified this as a violation of federal Tag F0584, which governs residents' rights to safe, clean, comfortable environments. The citation carried minimal harm classification but noted the potential for actual harm and impact on multiple residents.
The facility must now develop and implement a plan of correction to address the environmental control failures that allowed persistent odors to compromise the living environment for residents who call Putnam Center home.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Putnam Center from 2025-10-30 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 21, 2026 · Our methodology
PUTNAM CENTER in HURRICANE, WV was cited for violations during a health inspection on October 30, 2025.
The odor hit them upon entering the building on October 27.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.