Failure to Maintain Safe and Comfortable Room Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain safe and comfortable temperature levels within the required range of 71-81 degrees for multiple resident rooms. During observations conducted with the Maintenance Director, several rooms on the second and third floors were found to have temperatures ranging from 81 to 87 degrees. Residents in these rooms reported feeling hot and uncomfortable, with some stating that the air conditioning had been malfunctioning for an extended period. One resident noted that staff had placed a blanket under a leaking air conditioner and promised repairs, while others confirmed that the issue had persisted for weeks without resolution. Interviews with staff revealed that the Maintenance Director had only recently started working at the facility and was aware of ongoing air conditioning issues. The Corporate Maintenance Director stated that he was only made aware of the high temperatures on the day of the survey and that maintenance is typically performed twice a year. Facility policies require temperature monitoring and specific actions when indoor temperatures exceed 80 degrees, but the report indicates that these procedures were not effectively implemented, resulting in prolonged exposure of residents to excessive heat.