Failure to Maintain Safe and Comfortable Dining Room Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a comfortable and safe temperature in one of its dining rooms, resulting in uncomfortably high temperatures for residents and staff. Observations showed that the thermostat in the back dining room read 83 degrees, and both staff and residents exhibited signs of discomfort, such as flushed faces and sweating. The air conditioning unit in the dining room had been nonfunctional since Sunday, and the temperature in the room was reported to be in the high 80s or low 90s during this period. Despite the heat, residents continued to eat meals in the dining room, although they were given the option to eat in their rooms. Staff interviews confirmed that the air conditioning unit had been freezing up and was out of service for an extended period, with maintenance unable to secure immediate repairs. Staff described the environment as very uncomfortable, and some residents chose to eat in their rooms due to the heat. One staff member noted that a resident with COPD was unable to tolerate the dining room temperature and had to finish her meal in her room. Fans were used in the dining room, but they did not sufficiently cool the area. Resident interviews corroborated the staff's accounts, with residents reporting significant discomfort, loss of appetite, and sweating while eating in the dining room. The facility's policy requires maintaining comfortable and safe temperatures between 71°F and 81°F, but this standard was not met in the back dining room during the period in question. The deficiency was observed through direct observation, staff and resident interviews, and review of facility policy.