Failure to Maintain Consistently Comfortable Shower Water Temperatures
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment by not ensuring that water temperatures in two of three communal showers were maintained at a comfortable level for residents. Surveyors reviewed records and interviewed three cognitively intact male residents who used the showers and were generally independent or required limited assistance with bathing. One resident with cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, bipolar disorder, anemia, major depressive disorder, and anxiety reported that the shower water was either hot or cold and that the shower "is not worth a crud," although he appeared clean, odor free, and appropriately dressed. Another resident with COPD, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, peripheral vascular disease, and dementia stated that the water did not stay warm enough for the entire shower, while a third resident with congestive heart failure, atherosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and osteoporosis reported that the water was usually just warm and not as hot as he would like. Observations of the shower rooms on two halls showed that the water temperatures did not reach or maintain a consistently warm range. On the 300 hall, after running the shower for three minutes, the water temperature remained at 85°F; later, after five minutes, it reached 108°F but then dropped back down to 85°F. On the 100 hall, the water temperature reached 103.5°F after three minutes but immediately dropped to 95°F, and a subsequent test showed the water reaching 105°F after three minutes and then dropping below 95°F. Review of facility grievances and resident council minutes for the prior three months did not reveal any documented concerns about shower water temperatures. Staff interviews revealed inconsistent awareness and monitoring of water temperatures. One CNA stated that sometimes water was shut off for repairs with advance notice, that she let the water run to reach a good temperature, and that although some residents wanted hotter water, she believed it was warm enough to complete showers. Another CNA reported no trouble with water temperatures and no resident complaints, stating she adjusted the temperature as needed. An LVN stated that occasionally a resident would say the water was not as hot as they would like, but not that it was cold, and that she would submit a maintenance work order if it occurred consistently. The Maintenance Director acknowledged he was not aware that the 100 and 300 hall showers were not reaching and maintaining a comfortable temperature, did not keep records of shower water temperatures, and had not been routinely taking or documenting them. He described recent water heater replacement issues, noted that the water circulator was out of service, and confirmed that the water temperatures failed to maintain his stated standard of 108°F to 112°F in resident restrooms. The DON stated she did not monitor shower water temperatures and had not received complaints, and the Administrator stated she was not aware that shower water temperatures were not monitored and that she expected weekly monitoring. The facility did not have a policy for shower water temperatures, despite state and federal guidance describing generally accepted safe ranges for bathing water. Title 26 of the Texas Administrative Code cited in the report states that the generally accepted safe range for resident bathing is 100°F to 120°F, with a maximum of 120°F to prevent scalding, and notes that potential for injury can occur below 100°F depending on the individual and exposure time. The State Operations Manual excerpt referenced in the report identifies safe temperature for bathing as 100°F or below, while acknowledging that burns can occur even below 100°F depending on condition and exposure. The facility’s failure to maintain and monitor shower water temperatures within a consistently comfortable range, lack of documentation of temperatures, lack of a specific policy for shower water temperatures, and limited oversight by nursing leadership and administration contributed to the deficiency in providing a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment for residents using the communal showers.
Penalty
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