Unsafe Water Temperatures Exceeding Policy Limits
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain water temperatures within safe limits, as required by its own policy and federal guidelines, which state that tap water should not exceed 120°F to prevent scalding. During observations, water temperatures in multiple resident rooms and a shower room were found to be significantly above this threshold, with readings ranging from 122.1°F to 132°F. The Plant Operations Director (POD) acknowledged that the water was excessively hot and admitted to increasing the temperature during the winter in response to resident complaints about cold water. However, the temperatures were not reduced after the installation of water boosters, nor were they adjusted back to safe levels until after the surveyor's findings. Interviews with staff revealed that no formal resident complaints about hot water had been made, but an LPN noted that the sinks became very hot during handwashing. The Facility Administrator (FA) was unaware of the specific process used by the POD to check water temperatures and confirmed that the mixing valve had been set above the facility's threshold. The facility's failure to monitor and maintain water temperatures within the safe range placed residents at risk for scalding injuries in all three halls reviewed.