HospitalInspections.org

Based on interview and record review the facility failed to ensure care in a safe setting when the facility's heaters, in the Geriatric patient care areas, were not functioning properly for at least four days, placing the patients at risk for hypothermia.

Findings include:

Review of the facility provided policy Patient Rights (dated 1/11/16) reflected, " ...You have the right to a humane treatment environment that ensures protection from harm.... promotes respect and dignity for each patient.... The facility will not utilize prcedures that deny any basic needs such as... shelter..."

An observation on 11/15/18 at 10:00 am on the facility's Geriatric Unit revealed Patient #7 wearing a sweater sitting in the Patient activity area. Patient #7 had her arms wrapped tightly around her torso. During an interview when asked if she was cold Patient #7 stated, "Yes, I'm cold ...it's been cold since I got here .... they tried to fix it ...." Patient #7 had been admitted on 11/9/18.

During an interview on the morning of 11/15/18 at 10:00 am, on the facility's Geriatric Unit, Staff #6, Plant Operations Director, holding an infrared temperature gauge stated, " ...The temperature is 66 degrees." When asked if the staff had contacted him about the unit being cold, Staff #6 stated, "I was here all day on Sunday (11/11/18) .... The nurse told me the unit was cold. I turned the unit off and back on, it turns itself off and on .... I had to turn the heaters on when I came in today. The heater is set to go off at 74 degrees." When asked what time he came in, Staff #6 stated, "I came in at 7:00 am, the unit was off. I turned the unit off and turned it back on .... It's gone off three times before it hit the desired temperature. You have to manually turn it back on ..." When asked where the temperature gauge is at Staff #6 stated, "It's in the nurse's station .... It's enclosed, it's a little warmer .... We like to keep it at 74, 75 is more normal for the Geri's. ... 70 degrees is too cool ...."

An observation on the morning of 11/15/18 at 10:08 am, during a tour of the facility's Geriatric Unit with Staff #6, Plant Operations Director the facility's infrared temperature gauge, revealed the patient Room 306 was 67 degrees Fahrenheit, three hours after the heat had reportedly been turned on. On 11/14/18, the previous night, the outside temperatures had dipped below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

On the morning of 11/15/18 at 10:08 am, on the facility's Geriatric Unit, Staff #6, Plant Operations Director confirmed the findings