Failure to Provide Consistent Hot Water for Resident Bathing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide consistent access to hot water for bathing for four cognitively intact residents, each with significant medical conditions such as fractures, diabetes, cerebral infarction, multiple sclerosis, and malnutrition. Over a period earlier in the month, these residents experienced a lack of hot water for several days, with some reporting up to two weeks without hot water. During this time, residents were either given cold showers, wet wipe baths, or had to refuse bathing altogether, with no alternative options consistently offered. Staff interviews and documentation confirmed that the facility experienced ongoing issues with its hot water supply due to malfunctioning water heaters, which were unable to meet the demand. Maintenance staff and administration acknowledged the problem, noting that one of the two hot water tanks was out of order and that the facility had a history of running out of hot water under normal conditions. The lack of hot water affected both the men's shower room and general bathing routines, resulting in residents not receiving safe and comfortable bathing as required by resident rights policies.