Failure to Maintain Boiler Resulting in Inadequate Indoor Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the boiler in working order to provide adequate heat, resulting in indoor temperatures ranging from 56.0°F to 58.0°F throughout the building. The facility’s own Homelike Environment/Maintenance policy, revised 12/1/25, requires housekeeping and maintenance services to maintain a sanitary, orderly, and comfortable interior with safe temperature levels, and its Cold Weather policy, revised 11/24/25, requires regular building maintenance and inspection, including maintenance of heating and air conditioning systems and thermostats. On 1/18/26 at 1:00 p.m., the maintenance staff (V3) confirmed that a seam had broken in the boiler, leaving the facility without heat and temperatures in the mid to upper fifties, and the Administrator (V1) verified at 1:30 p.m. that the heat was out in the facility. On 1/18/26 at 1:30 p.m., residents were observed bundled in multiple layers of clothing and blankets due to the cold environment: one resident was in bed with several blankets and a stocking cap, and that resident’s family member reported the room was very cold and that the resident’s head was cold to the touch when she arrived and he was not yet wearing a cap; another resident remained in her room wearing a winter coat and several blankets; and a third resident sat in the front hall wearing a winter coat, stocking cap, and several blankets on his lap, stating that it was very cold in the facility. The Administrator later confirmed that the census on 1/18/26 was 60 residents, as documented on the Daily Census sheet dated 1/17/26, indicating that all 60 residents had the potential to be affected by the lack of heat.
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