Resident Exposed to Uncomfortable Room Temperature Due to Inoperative Heating
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident was admitted to a room that did not maintain a comfortable temperature, as required by facility policy. The resident, who had diagnoses including diabetes mellitus, depression, and anxiety disorder and was cognitively intact, reported that the room was cold and lacked heat. Despite informing staff of the issue, the only immediate action taken was to provide an extra blanket. The resident's family also experienced the cold during visits, and maintenance staff confirmed that the baseboard heater in the room was not functioning due to a failed thermocouple. Maintenance was not available over the weekend, and the resident was not offered a room change during this period, despite ongoing complaints about the cold temperature. Staff interviews confirmed that nursing staff submitted maintenance tickets regarding the room temperature, but no further action was taken to address the resident's comfort until after the weekend, when maintenance returned and the resident was moved to a different room. The facility's policy requires maintaining room temperatures between 71 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit, but this standard was not met for the resident during their stay in the affected room. The deficiency was identified through interviews, record reviews, and weather history, and it was determined that the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment was not honored.