Failure to Provide Consistent Access to Fresh Drinking Water
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to consistently provide fresh drinking water to residents, as required by its own hydration policy, which states that fresh water should be supplied to residents each shift and upon request. During an environmental tour, surveyors observed that the ice chest on the third floor contained stagnant water with visible hair and dead insects, and residents were storing frozen cups of water in the freezer due to the broken ice machine. Staff confirmed that the ice machine had been out of service for two weeks and that residents did not receive fresh water during the shift because of the lack of ice. Additionally, the second-floor pantry's ice chest contained standing water with small flies floating in it. During a group interview, several alert and oriented residents reported that fresh ice water was not consistently provided, despite the facility purchasing bags of ice. Residents stated that staff did not always refill the unit's ice chest, and some residents resorted to making their own ice using plastic cups in the freezer. Residents expressed a preference for ice water, especially in hot weather, and reported that they were sometimes told by staff that no ice was available due to the broken machine. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed the ice machine was not working and that ice was being purchased, but could not explain why residents' requests for fresh water were not consistently met.