F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
F

Failure to Maintain Adequate Heat, Hot Water, Call Systems, and Building Repairs

Lacon Rehab And NursingLacon, Illinois Survey Completed on 01-13-2026

Summary

The facility failed to provide adequate heating, hot water, and building maintenance, resulting in an environment that was not safe, clean, or comfortable for residents, staff, and the public. Facility policies on homelike environment, cold weather, and resident call bells required maintenance of safe temperature levels, regular inspection and maintenance of heating and air conditioning systems, and a functional call system accessible from resident beds, toilets, and bathing areas. During a tour with the Maintenance Director, water temperatures on one hall measured 110–116°F, while on another hall they were only 75–77°F. The Maintenance Director acknowledged an ongoing problem with a mixing valve on the affected hall and stated that it was supposed to have been fixed by a plumber but was not. Multiple bathrooms were in disrepair: one resident’s bathroom had chipped paint and missing drywall under the sink; two other rooms had no running water to sinks or toilets, wet and stained bath blankets on the floor under sinks, black slimy-looking substances in toilets, and a black mold-like area in front of a toilet. The Maintenance Director stated that the sink and toilet were clogged and he had not had a chance to fix them. Ceiling tiles across the front hallway were discolored with brown stains and a mildew smell was noted; the Maintenance Director attributed this to condensation leaking into the tiles when boilers were turned up and stated he was the only maintenance person and had difficulty keeping up with repairs. Residents reported and demonstrated discomfort and lack of access to required systems. One resident was observed sitting in his room wearing a jacket and wrapped in a blanket, stating it was always cold on the southeast side of the building and that it smelled moldy in the front where ceiling tiles appeared wet; the wall behind his chair had gouges with crumbling plaster on the floor. When this resident pressed his call light, it illuminated only while the button was held down, and the second bed’s call cord consisted of open wires with no call button. Another resident was observed wearing a long-sleeve shirt and coat, reporting that his room had been warm until a recent weekend, that he told staff it was too cold but received no response, and that he stayed in bed wrapped in covers. A third resident, dressed in warm clothing with a shawl and blanket, stated her room was cold; a wall clock in her room showed 63°F. Another resident was using a handheld bell to call for assistance, stating he had no call light, and he and other residents confirmed there was no hot water in their rooms. Staff verified that certain room call lights stayed on all day or activated by themselves, that water on one side of the building only became warm but not hot, and that they heated water in an electric tea pot at the nurses’ station for showers and washing. The Administrator confirmed that water and room temperatures were not at proper levels and that many repairs were needed, while the Maintenance Director confirmed ongoing problems with the mixing valve and boiler and that water temperatures on one side of the building were in the mid‑70s°F.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $40,74016 days payment denial
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

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See other F0921 citations
Loud Violent TV Programming in Secured Unit Dining Area
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

A large-screen TV in the secured unit dining room was playing a loud, violent movie during meals, with screaming, gunfire, crying, and dark scenes visible to residents seated nearby. Two residents with dementia-related cognitive impairment and behavioral issues were directly affected; one became angry and complained the TV was too loud and too dark, while another repeatedly turned off the lights and struck out at an NA when blocked. An LPN, RN, AD, and DON stated the programming was not appropriate for residents with dementia and could increase anxiety or agitation.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Dirty G-tube Pump and Room Floor
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Dirty G-tube Pump and Room Floor: A resident with Parkinson’s disease, DM, and impaired cognition was observed sleeping in bed while connected to a turned-off G-tube pump that had visible dried milk residue, and the room floor also had visible dried milk residue. A CNA confirmed the pump and floor were dirty, and an LVN stated food or milk drippings should be cleaned right away. RN review showed the care plan called for a safe environment with a floor free from spills and clutter, and the facility did not follow its cleaning and disinfection policy.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Unsafe and Poorly Maintained Environment
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Unsafe and Poorly Maintained Environment: A hole in the ceiling on Hall 100, a detached baseboard in a shower room on Hall 300, dim lighting in the secure unit dining room, and a leaking kitchen ceiling were observed in the LTC facility. Staff and management interviews showed the issues were known or reported inconsistently, and maintenance logs did not document several of the problems. The kitchen leak was being collected in a pot near the food prep area, and the DM stated the kitchen leaked when it rained.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Unsafe and Nonfunctional Bathroom Fixtures
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Unsafe and nonfunctional bathroom fixtures were observed on two nursing units and in one resident room. A resident reported a broken faucet, and staff observed a replacement knob that wiggled and did not work properly. In one shower room, the hot and cold indicators were reversed, and in another shower room, the drain cover was missing.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Unsafe and Unclean Unit Environment
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Unsafe and Unclean Unit Environment: The 200 unit had marred walls, chipped door trim, a large hole in a resident room wall, missing drywall near the offices, and dirt buildup on baseboards, floors, and around the elevator. The dining room and elevator area also had debris buildup, and the elevator door frame wrap was hanging off on both sides. An HSKP staff member stated the facility was down a housekeeper and floors should be cleaned daily.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Unsafe Resident Room Conditions Due to Nonfunctional A/C and Biological Growth
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Unsafe resident room conditions were identified when multiple rooms had nonfunctional A/C units, temperatures above 81 degrees, and unsealed openings around replacement units. A resident with paraplegia, polyneuropathy, chronic pain, and TBI reported living in a room without working A/C for weeks, while staff said several rooms had been hot for months and administration knew about the issue. Surveyors also observed biological growth inside one A/C unit and on a ceiling tile above a sink in a room occupied by a resident with respiratory concerns.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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