F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
E

Failure to Maintain Safe and Comfortable Temperatures Due to Inoperable Heating System

Rancho Seco Care CenterGalt, California Survey Completed on 11-22-2025

Summary

The facility failed to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for its residents, as evidenced by multiple complaints of cold temperatures and room temperatures consistently below regulatory requirements. Observations and interviews revealed that residents were dressed in multiple layers, using extra blankets, and still experiencing discomfort and difficulty sleeping due to the cold. Thermostats in several rooms registered temperatures as low as 61 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, with no warm air coming from the vents, and staff were unable to adjust the thermostats or provide effective relief. Residents repeatedly reported their discomfort to staff, but the only response was the provision of additional blankets, and no effective action was taken to resolve the underlying issue. Staff interviews confirmed that the facility had been cold for at least a week, particularly at night, and that the heating system was not functioning properly. Staff members acknowledged their inability to adjust thermostats or confirm whether the heating system was operational. Maintenance staff and facility administration were aware of the heating issue, specifically a non-functioning boiler, but failed to act in a timely manner to restore adequate heating. The Director of Nursing and Administrator initially denied awareness of the problem, despite direct observations and multiple resident complaints. A review of facility policies indicated that immediate action was required when heating systems were inoperable, with a mandate to maintain temperatures between 71 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the facility did not follow these policies, as evidenced by the lack of timely repairs and inadequate interim measures to ensure resident comfort. Temperature logs provided by maintenance were inconsistent with observed room temperatures, and staff could not explain the discrepancies. The failure to maintain appropriate temperatures resulted in ongoing resident discomfort and a failure to provide a safe, homelike environment as required by facility policy.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0921 citations
Unsanitary Hair Salon and Open Kitchen Drain
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

An open floor drain near the dish machine was observed without a grate, and the FSM confirmed it had no grate and was unsure how long it had been open. In the Hair Salon, the sink drain filter had a glob of hair, and 3 brushes plus a box of hair curlers had hair on them; the AD and HS both confirmed the unsanitary conditions, and the HS stated she might have forgotten to clean the salon after the beautician visit.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Dirty resident room and unclean memory care dining room
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

A resident room was observed in disrepair with unpainted wall areas, black marks, discoloration, ceiling staining, and scuffed, missing paint on the door frame, and the same conditions remained on follow-up. The memory care dining room floor also had food crumbs and debris under multiple tables; an LPN said it appeared not to have been cleaned after the prior night's meal, and the administrator confirmed the food was still present.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Leaking and Loose Faucets in Facility Sinks
F
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Leaking and Loose Faucets in Facility Sinks: During a facility tour, a beauty shop style sink was observed leaking where the faucet connected to the sink, and maintenance staff stated they were not aware it needed repair. A sink in the soiled linens room on D/F Hall was also observed with a loose swivel faucet that leaked when turned on, and maintenance staff confirmed the observation.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Sharps Containers Left Full and Unusable
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Sharps containers on a locked dementia unit were observed full to the point that they could not be opened, including one in a shower room with three uncapped used disposable razors sitting on top of it and another on a medication cart. The DON and an LPN confirmed the containers were unusable, and the LPN noted two residents on the unit required routine blood glucose monitoring with lancets that would need disposal in a sharps container.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Resident Room Walls Found Moist, Stained, and Damaged
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Resident room walls were observed with moisture, black/gray staining resembling mildew or mold-like substance, bubbling paint, cracks, gouges, and dirty vents in multiple rooms, including B-2, B-4, B-6, B-8, B-10, and B-12. The Tel's record review showed no reports about the wall conditions for the past 6 months, and the ADM stated the moisture had been present for a while and had not previously been brought to the ADM and Maintenance Director's attention.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Broken Bedside Table Within Resident Reach
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and anticoagulant use had a bedside table within reach that was observed to be broken, with an unfinished edge, exposed particle board, splinters, and wood chips on the tabletop. A CNA confirmed the table was in poor repair and accessible to the resident.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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