Failure to Maintain Comfortable Hot Water Temperatures in Resident Areas
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain hot water at a comfortable level in a resident's hand sink, as observed and confirmed by both staff and the surveyor. The Maintenance Director received a complaint from a resident on the third floor regarding cold water in the hand sink, which was corroborated by the resident, who reported receiving cold bed baths and stated that the issue had persisted for three to four weeks. The Maintenance Director acknowledged that water temperatures were not consistently logged or monitored, and no temperature logs were provided to the surveyor. When the water temperature was measured in the resident's room, it was found to be 97.3 degrees Fahrenheit, which was described as cold by both the Maintenance Director and the resident. Further investigation revealed that the issue was not isolated to the resident's room, as the shower room on the same floor also had water temperatures at 97 degrees Fahrenheit. The Maintenance Director admitted to not keeping a log of water temperatures and only checking them sporadically as part of the water management program, without recording the results. The facility did not have a specific policy for water temperatures, and no documentation was provided to show regular monitoring or corrective actions taken in response to the complaints. Interviews with staff and the resident's emergency contact confirmed that concerns about cold water and inadequate bathing had been reported but not resolved to the satisfaction of the resident or their family. Maintenance requests and concern forms documented the ongoing issue, but there was no evidence of timely or effective resolution. The lack of consistent monitoring, documentation, and policy regarding water temperature contributed to the deficiency in providing a safe and comfortable environment for residents.