Failure to Maintain Comfortable Temperatures Due to Air Conditioning System Breakdown
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide residents with a comfortable environment, as evidenced by excessively high temperatures in multiple resident rooms and common areas. Observations on the day of survey revealed room temperatures ranging from 80.2 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit, with several rooms lacking functioning air conditioning units. Residents reported discomfort due to the heat, with one resident stating their room was too warm and another noting that the therapy/rehab room reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The facility's air conditioning system was not operational due to leaks in the cooling system lines, and repairs were delayed pending the arrival of necessary supplies. At the time of the survey, only a limited number of portable air conditioning units were available and functioning, despite the facility having a larger number of resident rooms. Interviews with facility staff revealed lapses in communication and awareness regarding the air conditioning system failure. The Director of Maintenance was aware of the issue and had obtained a repair proposal, but the Administrator was not informed of the system's malfunction until the day before the survey and was unaware of the impending heat wave. The Administrator also did not report the loss of air conditioning to the state agency, as required, and was unable to explain the facility's cooling system or identify when she was first notified of the problem. Facility policy required prompt reporting and maintenance of environmental systems to ensure resident comfort, which was not followed in this instance.