Failure to Maintain Safe Indoor Temperatures During Hot Weather
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe and comfortable temperature range for residents, as required by policy, with temperatures on the 5th floor reaching 88°F and the 3rd floor reaching 85°F. Surveyor observations confirmed that the environment was uncomfortably warm, and the facility was unaware of the excessive temperatures until notified by the surveyor. The facility's own policy states that when temperatures reach 82°F or higher, staff should be assigned duties to reduce exposure to excessive heat, and room changes should be made for fragile residents, but these actions were not documented as being taken. A resident was observed exiting their room, appearing to be in distress with heavy breathing, a red face, perspiration, and a wet shirt, and reported to staff that their air conditioner was broken. This resident had previously reported the issue to staff, as documented in the maintenance log, but the problem persisted. The acting Maintenance Director acknowledged that the air conditioning units were insufficient for the area and that the recorded temperatures exceeded the facility's policy threshold. These conditions were corroborated by community complaints and weather records indicating high outdoor temperatures.