Resident rooms were maintained below acceptable temperature levels
Summary
The facility failed to ensure three sampled residents were provided a safe and comfortable homelike environment when their rooms were kept at temperatures below the facility’s stated acceptable range. Resident 9 was admitted with multiple diagnoses including respiratory failure and sepsis, was vent dependent and nonverbal, and was dependent on staff for ADLs. Resident 11 was admitted with sepsis, a liver mass with possible bowel obstruction, and tracheostomy-related care needs, had chronic respiratory failure and vent support, and was dependent for ADLs. Both residents shared a room that, during observation, had a wall-mounted thermometer reading 64 degrees Fahrenheit. During the same observation and interview, a CNA stated the room temperature was 64-66 degrees and could be too cold for the residents, and that proper room temperature was important so the residents would not have hypothermia and would be comfortable. The facility’s Stationary Engineer stated resident room temperatures needed to be between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit for safety and comfort, while the DON stated room temperature should be above 68 degrees Fahrenheit and staff should check temperatures more when the weather changes. The Lead Engineer stated maintenance was not responsible for checking room temperatures and that communication about temperature problems was only verbal. Resident 10 was admitted with chronic respiratory failure, COPD, and cerebrovascular disorder, and was severely cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for ADLs and mobility. During observation in Resident 10’s room, the wall-mounted thermometer showed 60 degrees Fahrenheit. An LVN stated this temperature was too low for Resident 10’s comfort and that resident rooms should generally be set at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The facility’s policy titled Temperature and Humidity Monitoring stated temperature range from 68-75 degrees Fahrenheit, and the DF and SE both stated resident room temperatures should be maintained within that range, while also stating the facility did not typically monitor room temperatures daily.
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