Health inspection·March 9, 2022

72601. Alterations to Existing Buildings or New Construction (a) Alterations to existing buildings licensed as skilled nursing facilities or new construction shall be in conformance with Chapter I, Division 17. Part 6. Title 24, California Administrative Code [Reference: 2019 California Building Code Section 1225.2 – New buildings and additions, alterations, or repairs to existing buildings subject to licensure shall comply with applicable provisions of the California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code and California Fire Code (Parts 3,4, 5 and 9 of Title 24)] and requirements of the State Fire Marshal. On 2/24/2022, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) made an unannounced visit to the facility to investigate a complaint related to resident abuse The facility failed to obtain required written authorization, building permit, and attain construction approval from the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI, the State Agency that reviews and approves plans for construction, repairs, renovations, and remodeling made to healthcare facilities to comply with State Building Codes) for the installation of air handler units on the roof and the installation of 20 cooling floor units in the resident rooms. On 2/24/22, at 12:30 pm, during an interview, the Administrator stated they were going to install two more air handler units within the next three weeks. The Administrator stated she was unaware of any specific details regarding the history of the construction/alterations at the facility. On 2/24/2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., during a facility tour of the building with the Assistant Maintenance Supervisor (AMS) and the Administrator, the following was observed: 1. Room cooling floor units were in resident rooms 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29. 2. Eight air handler units were on the roof of the building. A review of the Construction Advisory Report authored by HCAI Fire Marshal 1, dated 2/23/2022, the report indicated the following: 1. Four air handlers have been replaced and put into service without approval from OSHPD. 2. Two AHU’s (air handler units) have been removed and not replaced. The areas served by these two units do not have the benefit of the required HVAC systems. 3. Observed the presence of room cooling units in virtually all patient rooms. These units are vented to the outside in a variety of methods including duct taped plywood bulkheads installed in sliding doorways. As a result, there is an addition of approximately 400 plus amps of electrical load on the existing system and the (unpermitted) modification of the ventilation system. The facility failed to obtain required written authorization, building permit, and attain construction approval from the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI, the State Agency that reviews and approves plans for construction, repairs, renovations, and remodeling made to healthcare facilities to comply with State Building Codes) for the installation of air handler units on the roof and the installation of 20 cooling floor units in the resident rooms. The above violation had a direct relationship to the health, safety, and security of all residents.