Failure to Maintain Comfortable Room Temperatures for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a comfortable and homelike environment by not ensuring that resident rooms were kept at a comfortable temperature for two out of three residents reviewed. Both residents had significant medical conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnea, ischemic cardiomyopathy, chronic embolism, thrombosis, urinary tract infection, and bone disorder. Observations revealed that one resident was lying in bed with minimal clothing and using a small fan due to the lack of air conditioning vents in the room, which was described as warm and stuffy. The resident reported that the room became excessively hot, especially when the door was closed, and that staff and residents were sweating due to the heat. The resident also stated that temperature checks in the room were not performed until after the surveyor's visit, and the temperature was measured at 79 degrees during the surveyor's presence. Another resident reported difficulty sleeping due to the heat when the air conditioner was not functioning, stating that a nurse eventually provided a fan to help. Staff interviews confirmed that the air conditioning had not been working for several days, and that only hallway vents were present, with no vents in the resident rooms. Staff described the environment as miserable for both residents and workers, and noted that management's response was limited to advising the closing of blinds and turning off lights. Maintenance staff were aware of the issue, and a regional maintenance director commented on the extreme heat in the building. Temperature logs showed that room temperatures for the affected residents ranged from 74 to 79 degrees over several days, with no temperature documentation prior to the surveyor's intervention. A facility grievance documented that residents had requested air conditioners in their rooms. The facility's policy on extreme temperatures stated the purpose of assuring resident comfort and safety during periods of extreme heat, but the actions taken were insufficient to maintain a comfortable environment as required.