Uncomfortable indoor temperatures during AC/chiller failure
Summary
The facility failed to maintain comfortable temperatures in resident rooms and common areas during a period when the air conditioning/chiller system was not functioning properly. The report states that the facility experienced an AC/chiller outage on May 27, 2026, and that indoor ventilation and temperature were affected. During the outage period, the facility used portable fans and portable air conditioning units, and an HVAC vendor was contacted regarding repair status and replacement options. The administrator stated the facility temperature was to be maintained between 71F and 81F, but room temperature audits documented multiple areas above that range, including resident rooms and care areas measuring in the low 80s and a shower area at 84.2F. There were no temperature audit logs for June 6 and June 7, 2026. Four residents were specifically identified as affected. One resident with cognitive intactness, acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, moderate persistent asthma, sleep apnea, oxygen therapy, and a non-invasive mechanical ventilator stated the facility had been very hot over the past month and that the heat caused increased shortness of breath and a feeling of gasping for air. Another resident with COPD and anxiety reported that the room had been very hot since the end of May, with a personal sensor reading temperatures ranging from 85F to 113F, and described feeling as if breathing through cotton, profuse sweating when walking to the bathroom, and irritability from the heat. A third resident with cognitive intactness and dependence for dressing was observed wearing a long-sleeve shirt and an incontinence brief during the hot period. A fourth resident with COPD, cellulitis, diabetes, and neuropathy stated that while the building was comfortable on the day of interview, it became uncomfortable when the weather heated up, and that earlier in the week it had been pretty uncomfortable. Staff and other witnesses described the same conditions. The FSD reported that on one morning the power was out, affecting kitchen equipment, fans, and portable AC units, and that the kitchen temperature reached 119 degrees F before power was restored. HUC-A stated residents complained about the heat, asked when the AC would be fixed, and were directed to speak to administration and maintenance, which was not a satisfactory response for many residents. RN-B, LPN-A, NA-A, and NA-B each reported that the building had been hot during the previous several days and that residents had complained about the heat and difficulty sleeping. A community member stated the indoor temperature was concerning, that common areas were uncomfortable, and that staff had told her the indoor temperature could be bad and uncomfortable for them, though they were more concerned about resident comfort. The administrator acknowledged that the chiller failed around the end of May and that residents began reporting the facility was too hot.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
Trusted data from CMS and state health departments
Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release August 26, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.
In your survey window? See what surveyors are citing.
The Survey-Prep Report maps your facility's risk from 12 months of CMS and state citation data — what's being cited around you and what to check first. $129 one-time.