Failure to Maintain Functional Running Water for Resident Care and Hand Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain functional running water in one resident room, which is necessary for hygiene and provision of care. Surveyors observed that the sink in the identified room was not functioning and had no running water, and the shower was non-functional with the faucet removed, leaving only the toilet operational. The Director of Maintenance stated that the water supply to this room had been shut off for approximately two weeks due to a plumbing issue and confirmed that both the sink and shower were inoperable, and that this was the only room affected on the unit. Facility documents showed that an outside contractor evaluated the issue and provided an estimate for repairs dated February 9, 2026, but the facility did not accept or proceed with the proposed work, and repairs were not completed by the time of the survey. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed awareness of a water issue in the room for approximately two weeks but reported being unaware that the sink lacked running water. He stated that the facility declined the external repair estimate and planned to complete the repairs internally, without providing a definitive start date or timeline for completion. The Administrator also stated that hand sanitizer was available in the room as an interim infection control measure and did not identify the lack of running water as an infection control concern, and no alternative accommodations were implemented despite available beds and the ability to relocate the resident. Interviews with a licensed nurse, a respiratory therapist, and a nursing assistant confirmed that proper hand hygiene, including handwashing, is considered the top priority for infection prevention and is required before and after providing patient care, with hand sanitizer used only until staff are able to wash their hands. CDC guidance cited in the report states that handwashing with soap and water is essential for infection prevention and that alcohol-based sanitizer alone is not sufficient when hands are visibly soiled or after exposure to bodily fluids.
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