cms_WV: 9833
Data source: Big Local News · About: big-local-datasette
| rowid | facility_name | facility_id | address | city | state | zip | inspection_date | deficiency_tag | scope_severity | complaint | standard | eventid | inspection_text | filedate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9833 | SUMMERSVILLE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER D/P | 515029 | 400 FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS ROAD | SUMMERSVILLE | WV | 26651 | 2012-05-30 | 257 | E | 1 | 0 | TN3K11 | **NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** . Based on observation, monitoring of unit air temperatures, resident interview, review of unit complaint records, and review of unit equipment ordering documents, the unit failed to ensure comfortable and safe temperature levels in resident rooms. The air temperatures were uncomfortably warm for residents. The facility was aware that necessary air conditioning equipment was not operational and replacement parts could not be received and installed quickly, mostly related to the age of the building. The replacement equipment was not ordered until 05/17/12. This practice had the potential to affect more than a minimal number of residents residing on the Extended Care Unit. Unit census: 52. Findings include: a) Observations and interviews When entered on 05/30/12 at 11:00 a.m., a huge fan was noticed on the B hall of the Extended Care Unit. As the tour of the unit continued, several fans were observed in hallways and in resident rooms. Some resident rooms were noted to have two (2) fans. Resident interviews and measurements of air temperatures in some resident rooms was undertaken and completed over the next hour (11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.). Residents on all three (3) halls of the unit voiced concerns with being uncomfortable on occasion in the past several days due to the heat in their rooms. On A hall, Resident #5 was interviewed in her room while in bed. This resident stated she had been uncomfortably hot during the previous weekend and at times "had sweat running off my body". This resident further stated that she had planned just that morning to complain to someone, stating that although it was only May, there had been several uncomfortable days and no air conditioning since she did not know when Resident #29 on B hall was observed (at approximately 11:05 a.m.) sitting in her room with two (2) fans running. This resident stated it had been very hot in her room during the evening hours over the past several days. The Resident stated it was not "too bad" at the time of the interview. The room temperature was measured at 80.6 degrees at that time. The occupant of room [ROOM NUMBER] of B Hall was not in the room at the time of this tour, the room temperature was measured at 80.1 degrees. On C hall, in room C-10, Residents #50 and #51 were in their room and interviewed. These residents both stated their room had been uncomfortable for several days, although they were not uncomfortable at the moment. Resident #50 stated she was "OK, if I sit still and don't do much". Resident #48 resided in a room on C hall. She was wearing a thin hospital gown when interviewed and stated he was not too warm. The room temperature in this room was 82.5. All residents interviewed stated that the rooms would be warmer later in the day. b) Complaint log review The Unit complaint log for the previous thirty (30) days was reviewed. This review disclosed a complaint, dated 05/29/2012, voiced by a family member. The complainant questioned when the air conditioning in resident room's would be repaired. The area on the back of this document for a response stated the part had been ordered and should be received and installed over the next several days. The response further stated "Part not ordered previously due to cash flow issues and the temperatures had not been an issue until this past weekend". c) Staff interviews The Director of Support Services was interviewed at 11:45 a.m. on 05/30/12. This employee stated that he had come to the facility a few times over the previous weekend to make sure residents were not becoming ill due to the intense heat and no air conditioning. When asked, this employee stated he had measured no room temperatures during his visits over the weekend. He stated he spoke with staff to determine there were no adverse reactions to the heat. He also stated resident rooms and hallways had no method of measuring air temperatures and to his knowledge no measurement of room temperatures was being monitored by anyone. The Director of Support Services was asked to "show me when the necessary materials to fix what's wrong with the air conditioning were ordered". This employee provided an order receipt dated 05/17/12 2012 for the needed part. The Director of Nurses was interviewed at 11:35 on 05/30/12. When asked if any special measures such as increased opportunities for hydration had been instituted during the time of no air conditioning and extreme heat, this employee stated no, nothing beyond the normal hydration passes were being done. (Note: The ambient temperatures had been in the high 80's to low 90's for several days (05/25/12 to 05/28/12, but had dropped to the low 80's to upper 70's 05/29/12 to 05/30/12.) . | 2015-08-01 |