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Based on visual observation the facility failed to maintain a patient comfortable environment via a properly functioning central heating system as per the manufactures specifications. The central heating system proper maintenance is essential to assure the patients are protected as best as possible from a mechanical failure that could possibly result in a fire or smoke emergency. The deficient practice had the potential to affect nine of nine patients.

Findings:

During the facility tour on January 19, 2024 between the hours of 3:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The HVAC did not appear to be operating at a adequate level to supply heat to the patient care areas/ rooms. The Administration had contacted a HVAC company and was awaiting their call back for service. Shall provide all HVAC equipment with proper operating capability to achieve a set thermostat heat temperature level at any given time regardless of the outside temperature.

The interview with the Administrator and the Facility Director revealed the facility was aware the central heating system was not heating up to the proper standards and at time of survey the Administrator had contacted a licensed HVAC company and was awaiting a service technician to schedule a prompt visit to inspect and improve the performance of the six central heaters to allow the patients a more comfortable environment.

Based on visual observation the facility failed to assure that portable heating devices were not restricted from use. Since the devices are portable, they can be placed to closely to a combustible ignition source which would result in a fire/smoke emergency. This deficient practice has the potential to affect nine of nine residents.

Findings:

During the facility tour on January 19, 2024 between the hours of 3:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. the facility was using space heaters to supplement the central heating of the rehab hospital in the wake of this weekend temperatures possibly achieving a low of twenty six degrees Fahrenheit. The following locations had space heaters provided: patient room 104, patient room 106, lobby and the physical therapy room. The physical therapy room and patient room 104 had active space heaters in operation at time of survey. The other locations had space heaters that were not being used but stored for use if needed. The six HVAC units were functioning; however, they did not appear to be performing at the proper standard to provide enough heat throughout the Hospital to reach the set thermostat temperature. For example, the approximate temperature outside the facility was fifty one degrees Fahrenheit at time of survey and all six thermostats were set at temperatures a minimum of five degrees higher than the indoor temperature could achieve. The concern is the central heat may not be able to provide enough comfortable heat this upcoming weekend for the facility during the predicted below freezing temperature drop.

The facility is required to perform a fire watch every thirty minutes and using a infrared temperature device provide a hourly temperature check by monitoring the patient sleeping rooms and six thermostats indoor temperature display. Please refer to Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals guidance if the temperature does not meet the acceptable comfortable conditions.
Note: The patients appeared to be comfortable with the temperature at the time of inspection.

L.R.S. 40:1578.6 (C) This inspector deems that a serious life hazard exists due to the lack of adequate comfortable patient temperature.

This facility shall implement a fire watch in accordance with State Fire Marshal Guidelines, a copy of said guidelines was given to the Administrator and said fire watch shall remain in effect until the HVAC equipment is functioning properly and an inspection has been conducted by this office.

The interview with the Administrator and the Facility Director revealed the facility was not aware the space heaters are not allowed to be used to supplement heat in the patient sleeping rooms at time of survey. The Administrator had contacted a licensed HVAC company and was awaiting a service technician to schedule a prompt visit to inspect and improve the performance of the six central heaters to allow the patients a more comfortable environment.