Failure to Maintain Functional Boiler Systems Resulting in Inadequate Hot Water
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that its boiler systems were functional and operational, resulting in inadequate hot water for residents and staff. Observations and interviews revealed that there had been ongoing issues with the hot water supply, particularly in the memory care and long-term care units, with water temperatures consistently below the facility's policy requirement of at least 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Staff, residents, and family members reported that the lack of hot water had persisted for weeks to months, affecting the ability to provide showers and meet hygiene needs. Temperature logs and direct measurements confirmed that water temperatures in multiple resident rooms ranged from 70.6 to 97.7 degrees Fahrenheit, even after running the water for several minutes. Maintenance staff and a mechanical contractor confirmed that the facility was operating with only one functional boiler, as the other boilers were either very old or had failed. The remaining boiler prioritized hot water supply to the kitchen and laundry, leaving resident areas with insufficient hot water. The kitchen had a booster for dishwashing, but still lacked hot water for cooking, and the laundry struggled to reach adequate temperatures. Maintenance records indicated repeated boiler failures, electrical issues, and a burst hot water holding tank, with repairs and replacements delayed or not completed. Facility policy required water heaters to maintain temperatures suitable for resident needs and to prevent scalding, specifically setting a range of 105 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite this, documentation showed repeated and prolonged periods without hot water, with staff frequently noting the deficiency in logs. The lack of hot water affected all 124 residents in the facility, as confirmed by staff, residents, and family interviews, and was not addressed in a timely manner.