Failure to Maintain Safe and Comfortable Temperatures During Extreme Heat
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain comfortable and safe temperature levels in residents' rooms and common areas, as required by its Extreme Heat Emergency policy. During a period of high temperatures, the inside temperature on various units ranged from 82.2°F to 87.6°F, exceeding the policy's threshold of 78°F for activating the emergency plan. Despite the air conditioning system being operational, it was not sufficient to keep the rooms cool, and the facility did not take timely action to address the rising temperatures before complaints were made. Multiple interviews confirmed the uncomfortable conditions: a resident reported that the facility was hot and the fan was blowing warm air, while a CNA stated that both residents and staff were complaining about the heat. The DON acknowledged that the energy company had reduced power voltage, and residents' medical conditions were being monitored. The Administrator received a complaint about the heat and recognized the difficulty in maintaining cool temperatures, but portable air conditioning units were not installed until after the Department of Health's onsite visit.