Other·April 20, 2023

F 584: Safe/Clean/Comfortable/Homelike Environment §483.10(i) Safe Environment. The resident has a right to a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely. The facility must provide- §483.10(i)(6) Comfortable and safe temperature levels. Facilities initially certified after October 1, 1990, must maintain a temperature range of 71 to 81°F; and An unannounced visit was conducted at the facility to investigation an allegation regarding the facility been cold and without heat. The facility failed to have a system to ensure all 15 of 15 heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units were operational and provided heat to maintain comfortable and appropriate room temperature according to the facility's policy and procedures, titled "Room Temperature Policy & Procedure," for 80 of 80 residents. As a result: 1.Rooms 111, 116, 123, 125, and 127 were observed to be below the required temperature range of between 71 degrees Fahrenheit and 81 degrees Fahrenheit, and 2. A review of the facility's hourly temperature log from 11:00 p.m. of 3/16/2023 to 11:00 a.m. of 3/17/2023 indicated that all resident rooms except Room 132 were measured below 71 degrees Fahrenheit at least once. During an interview with the MS, on 3/16/2023, at 4:12 p.m., the MS stated that the facility contacted the Fire Department on 3/16/2023 because a staff smelled something burning in the basement level. The MS further stated he found a burnt panel on 3/16/2023 in the electrical room and the ADM was informed of the incident same day. During an interview with the MS on 3/16/2023, at 5:15 p.m., the MS stated the electrical panel repair progress depended on the availability of the necessary parts of the electrical panel. During a concurrent observation and interview with the MS on 3/16/2023, at 5:56p.m., the digital thermostats were observed not displaying numbers (blank) and the HVAC units were observed nonoperational. The MS confirmed the findings and stated all HVAC units became nonoperational due to the issue with the electrical panel. During an interview with the DPP on 3/16/2023, at 8:06 p.m., the DPP confirmed and stated the electrical panel was faulty and it would be difficult to precisely estimate when the electrical panel could be repaired at this point. A review of the National Weather Service's weather forecast indicated the lowest temperature for the night of 3/16/2023 was 51 degrees Fahrenheit [scale for measuring temperature] for the facility's zip code. During an observation on 3/16/2023, at 8:33 p.m., in Room 111, the MS measured the room temperature, and it was measured at 70.7 degrees Fahrenheit. During an observation on 3/16/2023, at 8:34 p.m., in Room 116, the MS measured the room temperature, and it was measured at 68.7 degrees Fahrenheit. During an observation on 3/16/2023, at 8:37 p.m., in Room 123, the MS measured the room temperature, and it was measured at 70.1 degrees Fahrenheit. During an observation on 3/16/2023, at 8:38 p.m., in Room 125, the MS measured the room temperature, and it was measured at 65.6 degrees Fahrenheit. During an observation on 3/16/2023, at 8:39 p.m., in Room 127, the MS measured the room temperature, and it was measured at 70.7 degrees Fahrenheit. During an interview with the Infection Preventionist (IP), on 3/16/2023, at 9:26 p.m., the IP stated, if residents were exposed to cold temperatures, it may cause hypothermia and respiratory (the organs that are involved in breathing) illnesses. A review of the facility's hourly temperature log from 11:00 p.m. of 3/16/2023 to 11:00 a.m. of 3/17/2023 indicated that all resident rooms except Room 132 were measured below 71 degrees Fahrenheit at least once. A review of the facility's policy and procedures titled, "Room Temperature Policy & Procedure," dated 11/2012, indicated, "The temperature should range between 71 degrees Fahrenheit and 81 degrees Fahrenheit." The facility failed to have a system to ensure all 15 of 15 heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units were operational and provided heat to maintain comfortable and appropriate room temperature according to the facility's policy and procedures, titled "Room Temperature Policy & Procedure," for 80 of 80 residents. As a result: 1.Rooms 111, 116, 123, 125, and 127 were observed to be below the required temperature range of between 71 degrees Fahrenheit and 81 degrees Fahrenheit, and 2. A review of the facility's hourly temperature log from 11:00 p.m. of 3/16/2023 to 11:00 a.m. of 3/17/2023 indicated that all resident rooms except Room 132 were measured below 71 degrees Fahrenheit at least once. The above violation had a direct relationship to the health, safety, and security of all the residents in rooms 111, 116, 123, 125, and 127.