Failure to Maintain Safe and Comfortable Temperatures for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment for seven residents by not keeping temperatures within the required range of 71 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit on two halls. Multiple residents reported that the air conditioning had not been working for at least two weeks, with some stating it had been out for up to three months. Observations confirmed that room and hallway temperatures repeatedly exceeded 81 degrees, with thermostat readings as high as 83 degrees. Several residents were provided with window air conditioning units or fans, but not all rooms had these, and some residents continued to experience discomfort due to heat. Maintenance logs and staff interviews indicated that complaints about room temperatures and requests for fans or air conditioning units had been made over several weeks, but not all were addressed promptly. Residents affected by the heat had various medical conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, heart failure, vascular dementia, and other serious health issues. Some care plans specifically included interventions to avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold, and to encourage adequate hydration. Despite these documented needs, residents reported feeling excessively hot, sweating, and in some cases, needing to move to cooler areas of the facility. Observations showed that not all residents had access to fans or functioning air conditioning, and some staff acknowledged that complaints had been made but not always acted upon. Interviews with facility staff and maintenance personnel revealed a lack of consistent monitoring and documentation of room temperatures, especially during periods when the central air conditioning was not functioning. The maintenance supervisor and administrator provided conflicting accounts regarding the duration and extent of the air conditioning failure. Maintenance logs showed delayed responses to requests for cooling equipment, and the facility's emergency preparedness plan, which included procedures for heat alerts and relocating residents, was not fully implemented. The air conditioning repair company confirmed that repairs could have been completed sooner if requested, but delays in obtaining quotes and authorizations contributed to the prolonged period of inadequate temperature control.