Failure to Maintain Safe and Comfortable Room Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain comfortable and safe temperature levels for residents, as evidenced by observations of three resident rooms with temperatures exceeding 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Specifically, rooms were recorded at 82 and 83 degrees, and multiple residents reported that their rooms had been uncomfortably hot for two to three weeks. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the temperature, with one resident stating they had requested a portable air conditioner from the Maintenance Director but had not yet received one. The Director of Maintenance confirmed ongoing issues with the air conditioning and chiller systems and acknowledged that requests for portable air conditioners were being prioritized. Additionally, the facility was unable to provide temperature logs for a four-day period during which outdoor temperatures ranged from 86 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit. Interviews with several residents confirmed persistent discomfort due to the heat, and the Maintenance Director verified that the temperature control issues had been ongoing. The lack of temperature documentation and unresolved maintenance concerns contributed to the deficiency in providing a safe, comfortable, and homelike environment for residents.