Failure to Maintain Adequate Hot Water Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a comfortable hot water supply for residents, staff, and the public, as evidenced by observations, interviews, and review of facility water temperatures. On the date of observation, hot water temperatures in several resident rooms and empty rooms ranged from 95 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit, which is below the expected regulatory range of 105-120 degrees Fahrenheit. The Administrator verified these temperatures at the time of observation. Four residents were specifically reviewed for hot water temperatures, and the issue had the potential to affect 59 residents residing on multiple hallways within the facility. Interviews with the Administrator and DON confirmed ongoing problems with the facility's mixing valves, and a company had recently serviced the system. Both acknowledged that there had been resident complaints about water temperature in the past, though not recently. Additionally, the facility was unable to provide water temperature monitoring logs for the months of May and June, as the maintenance department had not completed this required monitoring. The deficiency was investigated under a specific complaint number.