Failure to Maintain Safe Operation of Essential Ice Machine Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain essential equipment in safe operating condition, specifically the ice machine used for mechanical preparation of ice. Six alert and oriented residents reported during a group interview that fresh ice water was not consistently provided on all shifts because the facility's only ice machine had been broken for approximately two weeks. These residents stated they had to purchase their own bags of ice and have them delivered to the facility. A nurse aide confirmed that the lack of a functioning ice machine resulted in residents not consistently receiving fresh water during their shift. The Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged that the ice machine had been inoperable for about two weeks and that the facility was awaiting an estimate for repairs, during which time staff were purchasing bags of ice to fill unit ice chests and provide ice water passes to residents.