Failure to Maintain Adequate Facility Temperature and Homelike Environment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a homelike environment by not keeping the temperature above 71 degrees Fahrenheit, as observed and reported by both residents and staff. Multiple observations confirmed that the facility was cold, with thermostat readings between 62-68 degrees Fahrenheit in various areas. Staff and residents were seen wearing jackets, shawls, and using multiple blankets to stay warm. Residents consistently reported feeling cold, and staff acknowledged ongoing complaints about the low temperatures. Resident 1, who had chronic respiratory conditions including COPD, acute respiratory failure, and required continuous oxygen via nasal cannula, reported that the cold environment caused his oxygen tubing to become stiff, making it difficult to ambulate to the bathroom and increasing his reluctance to get out of bed. Resident 2, admitted with a scapula fracture and dysphagia, also reported persistent cold and a decreased desire to ambulate, despite being provided with extra blankets. Both residents stated that their complaints about the cold were met with the provision of additional blankets, which did not resolve their discomfort. Interviews with facility staff, including the Administrative Assistant, Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Maintenance, and Director of Nursing, revealed a lack of knowledge regarding federal temperature regulations and an absence of effective monitoring or logging of facility temperatures. The Director of Maintenance admitted that thermostats were old, there was no consistent way to monitor room temperatures, and he had not attempted to find a solution. The Safety and Emergency Management staff confirmed that there was no policy regarding temperature and resident comfort, and that maintenance policies could not be produced during the investigation.