Failure to Maintain Appropriate Temperature in Shower Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment by not ensuring appropriate temperatures in the residents' shower room. During a tour, it was observed that while the entrance to the shower room felt adequately warm, the area inside the shower stall where residents sit was notably cool. The Director of Maintenance measured the temperature in the shower area and confirmed it was 61 degrees Fahrenheit, which was acknowledged as too cold for showering. The Director of Maintenance also stated that despite installing two waterproof heaters, the larger shower room remained colder than the other shower room, which was warmer and less used. The issue was later traced to an open vent that was pulling in cold air, but the Director of Maintenance could not confirm how long the vent had been open. Resident interviews corroborated the issue, with one resident stating that the shower room was always cold, leading them to only have their hair washed instead of a full shower. Another resident, who had recently been admitted, reported that the shower room was cold during each of their three showers. A review of the facility's policy indicated that immediate action should be taken to maintain temperatures between 71-81 degrees Fahrenheit when heating or cooling systems are inoperable, but this standard was not met in the shower room.