F0584

E

Prolonged Lack of Hot Water on Upstairs Wing Affecting Resident Showers and Environment

Schulenburg, Texas Survey Completed on 03-05-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment on the upstairs wing by not ensuring that restrooms and shower rooms had readily available hot water. Surveyor observations over two days showed that multiple upstairs restrooms and shower rooms either had no hot water flow or water that did not reach a hot temperature after running for two minutes. In restroom D, the hot water faucet turned on but no water came out on two separate observations. In restrooms C and F, and in restroom/shower rooms A and B, the hot water at hand sinks and showers consistently measured in the 73–78 degrees Fahrenheit range after running for two minutes, with low water pressure also noted in one instance.

Interviews with residents and staff confirmed that the lack of hot water upstairs had been an ongoing issue for months. One resident reported that there had not been any hot water upstairs for months and that residents were taken downstairs for showers unless they wanted a cold shower, stating that administration and all staff were aware of the problem and that no completion date for repairs was provided. Multiple CNAs stated that the upstairs restrooms and shower rooms did not really have access to hot water, that shower room A never really heated up and shower room B only heated after a long time, and that residents were routinely taken downstairs to receive showers. Several CNAs reported that this situation had been occurring for at least several months, with one CNA stating it had been an issue for the entire four months of her employment and another stating it had been at least six months.

Additional staff interviews further described the impact of the lack of hot water upstairs. Housekeeping staff reported that there had been no hot water upstairs for the entire year of employment and that they obtained hot water for cleaning from a downstairs supply closet sink, while upstairs residents received their showers downstairs. Nursing staff, including LVNs, acknowledged awareness of hot water issues upstairs, with some unsure of the current status but confirming that residents were taken downstairs for showers if they wanted hot water. One CNA reported coming in early to complete resident showers because the entire facility was sharing one shower, making it difficult to complete showers on assigned days. Several staff members, including CNAs, housekeeping, maintenance, and nursing staff, stated that not having hot water upstairs could be or felt like a resident rights concern or violation. The DON acknowledged that ideally the upstairs shower rooms and restrooms should have hot water, that there was an ongoing issue, and that there had been a problem with the hot water upstairs since January 2026. Review of the grievance log showed no grievances related to hot water for the prior six months, and the facility’s Resident Rights policy stated that the facility provides a clean, safe, comfortable, and home-like environment.