F0689

K

Improper Use of Radiant Space Heaters Creating Accident Hazards

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Survey Completed on 02-04-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involved the facility’s failure to maintain an environment free from accident hazards and to provide adequate supervision and assistive devices after a loss of heat in one rehabilitation hallway. On the evening of January 31, 2026, the facility responded to the heat loss by placing three radiant space heaters in resident rooms and two radiant space heaters in the affected hallway. During observations on February 3, 2026, surveyors found these radiant space heaters actively in use in resident rooms and in a hallway accessible to residents, positioned so that residents could come into direct contact with hot surfaces and electrical components.

Temperature readings taken with the Maintenance Director on February 3, 2026, showed that the heaters in resident rooms reached surface temperatures ranging from 123°F to 153°F, and the heaters in the hallway measured between 136°F and 139°F. The Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged awareness of these temperatures and explained that heaters were placed in certain rooms based on residents’ transfer abilities and cognitive status. The Maintenance Director reported placing orange caution cones around the hallway heaters as a measure to prevent residents from walking into them. Despite this, observation in the hallway showed a resident in a wheelchair independently propelling using handrails and having to maneuver around both hallway heaters to continue ambulating.

Review of Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments revealed that one resident with a heater in the room was independent with transfers and ambulation and had moderate cognitive impairment, another was dependent for transfers and ambulation with moderate cognitive impairment, another was independent with transfers and ambulation with intact cognition, another was dependent for transfers and ambulation with severe cognitive impairment, and another was dependent for transfers and ambulation with a BIMS score indicating near-intact cognition. The Nursing Home Administrator reported that the facility had no policies or procedures providing guidance for the use of radiant space heaters in resident care areas. Interviews with CNAs showed inconsistent understanding of the risks associated with radiant space heaters, including burns, fire, and electrical hazards. These conditions led surveyors to identify an Immediate Jeopardy situation affecting residents on the rehabilitation unit.

Immediate Jeopardy began when the facility lost heat in the rehabilitation unit and implemented the use of radiant space heaters in resident rooms and hallways, and continued until the facility removed all space heaters, implemented alternative heating measures, and demonstrated corrective actions were sufficient to remove the Immediate Jeopardy.

Removal Plan

• Remove space heaters from resident rooms and hallways.
• Maintain room temperatures at 71 degrees and above.
• Interview residents in affected rooms to ensure they are warm enough and offer extra blankets.
• Monitor residents.
• Contact vendor to provide PTAC units to provide heat in residents' rooms while awaiting repair of the heat source.
• Remove space heaters from the facility.
• Educate maintenance staff to ensure no space heaters are in use in resident rooms and hallways.
• Complete audits of resident room temperatures and hallway temperatures in the affected area until the heat source is repaired.
• Audit affected areas to ensure no space heaters are in use and report results to the QAPI committee for further action and recommendations.