Failure to Provide Hot Water for Resident Showers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a comfortable and homelike environment by not ensuring the availability of hot water for resident showers. Multiple residents reported that the water in the showers was consistently cold, with some stating they had to take quick showers or wait extended periods for hot water to become available. Residents also described difficulties accessing shower rooms and linens, with staff either refusing to open shower rooms or requiring residents to seek towels from housekeeping. These issues were observed and corroborated through resident interviews and direct observation. The facility's environmental services director confirmed that the boiler system was old, had ongoing issues, and that the water temperature at the shower fixtures could not be measured due to a broken thermometer. Documentation of boiler temperature checks was not available, and the director was unaware of when a replacement thermometer would be obtained. The boiler system was known to overheat and trip a safety switch, resulting in only cold water being supplied to the showers. Staff and administration were aware of the problem, and maintenance staff had been trained to reset the system, but the issue persisted. Residents' care plans indicated preferences for shower times and the need for assistance, but these preferences were not consistently honored due to the lack of hot water and restricted access to shower facilities. The facility's hot water policy required water temperatures to be maintained within a specific range and for regular temperature logs to be kept, but these procedures were not followed. As a result, residents were unable to receive safe and comfortable bathing experiences as required.