Failure to Maintain Emergency Power System During Outage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an operable emergency electrical power system, resulting in a complete loss of power for an extended period following an ice storm. The generator, which was supposed to supply power to the entire facility during outages, ceased functioning and was not promptly replaced with a backup generator as outlined in the facility's emergency procedures. During the outage, staff were unable to access electronic medical records due to insufficient battery backup, and the backup computer could not support both the laptop and printer simultaneously. Emergency kits containing flashlights were initially inaccessible, leading staff to use personal phones for lighting until the kits could be reached. One resident who required 10 liters of oxygen was sent to the hospital for the duration of the outage because the facility was unable to provide adequate care without power. Other residents who relied on specialized air mattresses were switched to standard mattresses. Interviews with the NHA, DON, and a regional clinical RN confirmed that the facility did not follow its emergency procedures for obtaining a backup generator and that there were multiple instances where the generator failed to function properly, impacting the care and safety of all 82 residents.