Cold shower water in multiple resident shower rooms
Summary
The facility did not ensure that 3 of 3 shower rooms in use provided adequate hot water, affecting residents who used those rooms, including R3, R51, and R58. The deficiency was identified through observation, interview, and record review and involved the resident right to a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, including safe support for daily living. The facility policy on water temperatures required maintenance staff to check thermostats and temperature controls and to record periodic tap water temperature checks in a safety log. R3, who was admitted with diagnoses including morbid obesity, limited activity due to disability, reduced mobility, and muscle weakness, and whose BIMS score was 15, stated he was supposed to shower twice weekly but sometimes refused because the facility ran out of hot water. R51, admitted with multiple sclerosis and need for assistance with personal care, and whose BIMS score was 12, stated the shower water was on the colder side and became colder later in the day, requiring her to grit her teeth during rinsing. R58, admitted with diabetes type 2 and arthritis, and whose BIMS score was 14, stated she had not showered in at least 3 months because staff told her there was no hot water and asked whether she wanted a shower. The facility also had grievance forms documenting resident and staff complaints about cold shower-room water, including a grievance stating there were several complaints about cold water in the shower room. Maintenance staff reported checking water temperatures in resident rooms but not in shower rooms, and the temperature logs reviewed were from resident rooms only. Surveyor observations of the three shower rooms found water temperatures of 91.2, 78.9, and 84.3 degrees Fahrenheit after running full hot water for 5 minutes, with the water feeling colder and fluctuating down to 78.9 degrees. The maintenance staff, CNA, and NHA all acknowledged ongoing concerns about cold shower water, and the NHA stated the facility had been aware of the issue since 2/5/26 and had obtained plumber estimates while trying to determine what needed to be fixed.
Penalty
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