Inconsistent hot water temperatures in resident care areas
Summary
The facility failed to ensure comfortable water temperatures were maintained throughout resident care areas. Review of facility policies showed the facility was expected to maintain appropriate water temperatures in resident care areas and to report abnormal findings such as water that was too cold or hot. During observations, the center hall visitor/employee bathroom had only cold water from the faucet, and the west hall visitor/employee bathroom had only cold water flowing from both the hot and cold faucets after the water was allowed to run for five minutes. Additional observations in resident rooms and the west hall shower room showed water temperatures ranging from 98.5 degrees to 68 degrees, with several readings below 100 degrees and some as low as 70 degrees and 68 degrees. Interviews confirmed the issue had been ongoing for months. The Director of Maintenance stated water temperatures were checked weekly and adjusted as needed, but he was not sure of a minimum hot water temperature. A Maintenance Assistant stated that when water temperatures were lower than 100 degrees, he checked the hot water heaters to ensure the temperature at the heater was 120 degrees. CNAs and an LPN reported that some resident rooms and the shower room had only cold or tepid water, and staff sometimes had to go to other rooms to obtain hot water for bathing or handwashing. Four cognitively intact residents who participated in Resident Council stated they had no hot water in their room bathrooms and were routinely cleaned with cold to tepid water; one resident also reported the shower room water was often too cold. The Administrator, DON, and Senior Nurse Consultant stated they were not aware of complaints about hot water not being available in various parts of the facility.
Penalty
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