Failure to Maintain Required Ambient Air Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a comfortable and regulatory-compliant environment for a resident, as evidenced by ambient air temperatures below the required range. During interviews, the Maintenance Director stated that he believed the highest ambient air temperature should be 71°F and as low as 65°F, and was unaware of any resident concerns regarding temperature. However, a resident reported feeling cold, especially at night and in the early morning. Observations conducted with the Administrator confirmed that the ambient air temperatures in several areas of the second floor were below the regulatory minimum of 71°F, with readings as low as 63°F and 67°F in different locations. The Administrator verified these low temperatures during the observation and questioned the accuracy of the thermometer, but a second, newly purchased thermometer measured even lower temperatures. Review of the facility's environmental temperature policy confirmed that the required range is 71°F to 81°F. This deficiency affected one resident directly and had the potential to affect an additional 24 residents residing on the second floor. The issue was identified during a complaint investigation and was a repeat deficiency from a previous annual survey.