Failure to Maintain Safe Hot Water Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain hot water temperatures within the required range of 105 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in excessively high water temperatures in multiple resident rooms and shower areas. Observations revealed that hot water temperatures in several locations on both the first and second floors exceeded 120 degrees Fahrenheit, with some readings as high as 136.2 degrees Fahrenheit. These findings were confirmed by the Maintenance Director during the survey. The issue was further substantiated by a review of maintenance temperature logs, which showed a lack of recorded hot water checks for over a week prior to the survey. An invoice from an outside plumbing company indicated that the facility had recently experienced issues with hot water not reaching the shower rooms, which was traced to a newly installed mop sink faucet allowing water to mix improperly. The plumbing technician resolved the immediate issue by turning off the water to the mop sink, but the facility was instructed to only use the faucet when necessary. Despite this intervention, the facility did not consistently monitor or document hot water temperatures as required, and the new Maintenance Director, who had only been in the role for four days, had not yet established a routine for checking and adjusting water temperatures. Interviews with CNAs revealed that while they did not have major concerns about water temperatures, they acknowledged that the hot water could be too hot at times and that residents with cognitive impairment or decreased sensory perception might be at risk for burns. Staff reported adjusting water temperatures manually during resident care, but confirmed that if only the hot water was turned on, it would exceed the safe temperature range. The deficiency had the potential to affect multiple residents who used the affected shower rooms and sinks without staff assistance.