Failure to Maintain Comfortable Temperatures Throughout Facility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the building, resulting in multiple areas being significantly colder than the required range. During an initial tour, surveyors observed that the west hallway, group and activity room, nursing station, and main dining area were very cold. Temperature readings taken with the facility's infrared gun showed several locations with wall temperatures as low as 50.0°F to 57.2°F, including resident rooms, common areas, and shower rooms. Residents and staff reported that the building had been cold over the weekend, with some residents wearing jackets indoors and staff layering clothing to stay warm. One resident room's heating unit had not been working properly for about a week, and maintenance staff acknowledged ongoing issues with old heating units and drafts from exhaust fans. Staff interviews revealed that although the cold conditions were noticed by both residents and staff, there was a lack of timely communication to facility leadership. The administrator and DON were not made aware of the extent of the cold temperatures until after the weekend, despite staff and residents experiencing discomfort. The maintenance log indicated that heating issues in at least one resident room had been reported two weeks prior, but the problem persisted. The facility's policy requires immediate action to maintain temperatures between 71-81°F, which was not achieved in several areas during the survey.