Cold showers and unclean common area
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a safe, comfortable, homelike environment when residents were given showers with cold water and in cold shower rooms. One resident was observed sitting in a wheelchair wrapped in a blanket and visibly shaking after being showered, and stated that the shower was so cold. During observation in the shower room, a nurse aide was seen showering a resident who said the water was cold; the aide asked if the resident wanted to stop, but the resident chose to continue. The maintenance director checked the shower room and water temperatures, which were 69.8 degrees in the room and 94 degrees for the water, and stated that recovery time between showers was usually 20 to 30 minutes because of the water heater issue. The director of nursing stated that residents were offered the chance to check shower temperatures and that showers were spaced out to allow recovery time. Two other residents reported receiving multiple cold showers or bed baths over the prior week or two. One resident stated the water heater had been broken for weeks and that the water was cold even after waiting a long time; another resident stated the water had been cold and that bed baths were difficult. When the maintenance director tested the shower water with the hot side fully open, the highest temperature recorded was 98 degrees Fahrenheit. The maintenance director stated that parts for the water heater were on order and that the facility would cycle through showers to help the water stay hot enough for resident comfort. In a separate observation, the activities area at the end of the 400 hallway had a visibly dirty floor with old food items and paper garbage, and about twenty-two white garbage bags were stacked in the corner and onto a table. The senior administrator stated the bags were Christmas donations and acknowledged awareness of them, while facility policy stated non-resident common areas should be cleaned twice a day and as needed when visibly soiled.
Penalty
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