Deficiency Due to Mold and Persistent Plumbing Issues in Resident Rooms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a clean, sanitary, and homelike environment for all residents residing on the East end of the building, as evidenced by a buildup of a black substance resembling mold on the pipes of the heating and cooling elements in all 16 resident rooms on that side. The heating and cooling system, installed in the 1960s, uses water that alternates between hot and cold depending on the season, leading to condensation and moisture buildup, which in turn has caused mold to develop on the pipes. Both the current and previous Maintenance Supervisors confirmed the ongoing presence of this issue, and staff interviews corroborated that the mold had been present for at least two years. Additionally, multiple rooms on the East end had active toilet leaks, resulting in standing water on bathroom floors. Residents confirmed that their toilets had been leaking for an extended period, and staff acknowledged that this was a long-standing problem despite various attempted interventions. Observations and interviews with residents and staff consistently identified these unsanitary conditions, which affected the comfort and safety of the residents in the affected rooms.