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

Failure to Maintain Safe Air Temperatures

Aperion Care WesleyChicago, Illinois Survey Completed on 12-11-2024

Summary

The facility failed to maintain air temperatures within the required range of 68 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit in resident rooms and common areas during the winter months, affecting a resident with dementia and epilepsy, and potentially impacting all 82 residents. The Maintenance Director, responsible for monitoring and adjusting the facility's heating system, admitted to not checking air temperatures daily due to time constraints and only responding to complaints. During an environmental tour, temperatures were recorded as high as 84 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas, exceeding the facility's policy limits. The Maintenance Director revealed that the facility's thermostats were not functioning properly and were not connected to the heating sources. Despite having a policy in place, the Maintenance Director did not document actions taken for high temperatures on the air temperature logs, and there was no communication with the Administrator about the excessive temperatures. The logs showed multiple instances of temperatures exceeding the policy limits, with no corrective actions noted. The resident's family member and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) had previously raised concerns about the excessive heat in the resident's room, but the issue was not addressed effectively. The LPN opened a window to alleviate the heat but did not use the special key to adjust the room's central air heat. The Maintenance Director was unaware of how to properly adjust the boiler temperatures and only learned about it after consulting with the previous maintenance director. The Administrator was not informed of the high temperature readings, and the facility lacked functioning thermometers in key areas, further complicating the monitoring of air temperatures.

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
Loud Violent TV Programming in Secured Unit Dining Area
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

A large-screen TV in the secured unit dining room was playing a loud, violent movie during meals, with screaming, gunfire, crying, and dark scenes visible to residents seated nearby. Two residents with dementia-related cognitive impairment and behavioral issues were directly affected; one became angry and complained the TV was too loud and too dark, while another repeatedly turned off the lights and struck out at an NA when blocked. An LPN, RN, AD, and DON stated the programming was not appropriate for residents with dementia and could increase anxiety or agitation.

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.
Dirty G-tube Pump and Room Floor
D
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

Dirty G-tube Pump and Room Floor: A resident with Parkinson’s disease, DM, and impaired cognition was observed sleeping in bed while connected to a turned-off G-tube pump that had visible dried milk residue, and the room floor also had visible dried milk residue. A CNA confirmed the pump and floor were dirty, and an LVN stated food or milk drippings should be cleaned right away. RN review showed the care plan called for a safe environment with a floor free from spills and clutter, and the facility did not follow its cleaning and disinfection policy.

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.
Unsafe and Poorly Maintained Environment
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 Poorly Maintained Environment: A hole in the ceiling on Hall 100, a detached baseboard in a shower room on Hall 300, dim lighting in the secure unit dining room, and a leaking kitchen ceiling were observed in the LTC facility. Staff and management interviews showed the issues were known or reported inconsistently, and maintenance logs did not document several of the problems. The kitchen leak was being collected in a pot near the food prep area, and the DM stated the kitchen leaked when it rained.

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.
Unsafe and Nonfunctional Bathroom Fixtures
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 nonfunctional bathroom fixtures were observed on two nursing units and in one resident room. A resident reported a broken faucet, and staff observed a replacement knob that wiggled and did not work properly. In one shower room, the hot and cold indicators were reversed, and in another shower room, the drain cover was missing.

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.
Unsafe and Unclean Unit Environment
D
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 Unclean Unit Environment: The 200 unit had marred walls, chipped door trim, a large hole in a resident room wall, missing drywall near the offices, and dirt buildup on baseboards, floors, and around the elevator. The dining room and elevator area also had debris buildup, and the elevator door frame wrap was hanging off on both sides. An HSKP staff member stated the facility was down a housekeeper and floors should be cleaned daily.

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.
Unsafe Resident Room Conditions Due to Nonfunctional A/C and Biological Growth
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 resident room conditions were identified when multiple rooms had nonfunctional A/C units, temperatures above 81 degrees, and unsealed openings around replacement units. A resident with paraplegia, polyneuropathy, chronic pain, and TBI reported living in a room without working A/C for weeks, while staff said several rooms had been hot for months and administration knew about the issue. Surveyors also observed biological growth inside one A/C unit and on a ceiling tile above a sink in a room occupied by a resident with respiratory concerns.

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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