Petitioner: AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Respondent: FT. LAUDERDALE HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER, INC., D/B/A FT. LAUDERDALE HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER
Judges: JOHN G. VAN LANINGHAM
Agency: Agency for Health Care Administration
Locations: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Filed: Oct. 21, 2003
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, January 22, 2004.
Latest Update: Jan. 03, 2025
STATE OF FLORIDA
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE
ADMINISTRATION,
Petitioner, AHCA No.: 2003006059
AHCA No.: 2003005568
Vv. Return Receipt Requested:
7002 2410 0001 4236 2809
FT. LAUDERDALE HEALTH & 7002 2410 0001 4236 2816
REHABILITATION CENTER, INC.,
@/b/a FT. LAUDERDALE HEALTH &
REHABILITATION CENTER,
Respondent.
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
COMES NOW the Agency for Health Care Administration
(hereinafter referred to as “AHCA”), by and through the
undersigned counsel, and files this Administrative Complaint
against Ft. Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center, Inc.,
d/b/a Ft, Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center
(hereinafter “Ft. Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center”),
pursuant to Chapter 400, Part II, and Section 120.60, Fla.
Stat., and alleges:
NATURE OF THE ACTIONS
1. This is an action to impose an administrative fine
of $12,500.00 pursuant to Section 400.23(8), Fla. Stat.
(2002), for the protection of the public health, safety and
welfare.
2. This is an action to impose a Conditional Licensure
status to Ft. Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center
pursuant to Section 400.23(7) (b), Fla. Stat.
3. This is an action to impose a $6,000.00 survey fee
pursuant to Section 400.19(3), Fla. Stat.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
4. This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to Sections
120.569 and 120.57, Fla. Stat., and Chapter 28-106, F.A.C.
5. Venue lies in Broward County, pursuant to Section
400.121(1)(e), Fla. Stat., and Rule 28-106.207, Florida
Administrative Code.
PARTIES
6. AHCA is the regulatory authority responsible for
licensure and enforcement of all applicable statutes and rules
governing nursing homes, pursuant to Chapter 400, Part II,
Fla. Stat., (2002), and Chapter 59A-4 Florida Administrative
Code.
7. Ft. Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center
operates a 169-bed skilled nursing facility located at 2000
East Commercial Boulevard, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33308. Ft.
Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center is licensed as a
skilled nursing facility; license number SNF13630951;
certificate number 10479, effective 07/24/2003 through
09/30/2003. Ft. Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center was
all times material hereto a licensed facility under the
licensing authority of AHCA and was required to comply with
all applicable rules and statutes.
8. Ft. Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center
participates in Title XVIII or XIX, it must follow the
certification rules and regulations found in Title 42 C.F.R.
483, as incorporated by Rule 59A-4.1288, F.A.C.
COUNT I
FT. LAUDERDALE HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER FAILED TO ENSURE
THAT THE RESIDENTS’ ENVIRONMENT WAS FREE OF HAZARDS
TITLE 42, SECTION 483.25(h) (1), CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS,
RULE 59A-4.1288, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE,
(QUALITY OF CARE)
CLASS I DEFICIENCY
9. AHCA re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs (1)
through (8) as if fully set forth herein.
10. During the Licensure survey conducted on 7/21-
24/2003 and based on observation and interview, it was
determined that the facility failed to ensure that the
resident's environment remained free from hazards, in that,
water temperatures in resident bathroom sinks were at or above
120 degrees Fahrenheit in 18 of 28 resident occupied rooms in
the second and third floor of the facility. The findings
include:
(a) Observation of resident occupied rooms 202
through 203 and 214 through 219 on 07/22/03 between 11:45 a.m.
and 1:00 p.m. revealed that after running the hot water in the
bathroom sinks of the resident's rooms, for 3 to 5 minutes
that the temperatures of the water were at Or exceeded 120
degrees Fahrenheit (F) as follows:
Room 202- 130 degrees
Room 203- 132 degrees
Room 214- 120 degrees
Room 215- 120 degrees
Room 216- 121 degrees
Room 217- 125 degrees
Room 218- 130 degrees
Room 219- 121 degrees
RY Ry RY ry ny ny ny ry
ll. Observation of resident occupied rooms, Alzheimer's
unit, 301 through 304, 306 through 308 and 314 through 317 on
07/22/03 between 11:20 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. revealed that after
running the hot water in the bathroom sinks of the resident's
rooms, for 3 to 5 minutes that the temperatures of the water
were at or exceeded 120 degrees Fahrenheit (F) as follows:
Room 301- 122 degrees
Room 302- 120 degrees
Room 303- 120 degrees
Room 304- 120 degrees
Room 306- 120 degrees
Room 307- 120 degrees
Room 308- 122 degrees
Room 314- 121 degrees
Room 316- 121 degrees
Room 317- 122 degrees
BY RY Ay yy ay Ry yoy
12. The maintenance director stated in an interview on
07/21/03 at 10:00 a.m. that," ..did not have any logs for
water temperatures. Thought the water was hot in the 3rd floor
(resident) shower yesterday but I didn't check the
temperature."
13. During an interview with the administrator on
07/22/03 at 12:42 p.m., the administrator stated," I checked
the water temperatures and they are 120 degrees. I will shut
the hot water in the building now. The repairman for the hot
water is coming at 2:00 p.m."
14. Interview on 07/22/03 at 3:45 p.m. with the "boiler
repair man" who stated, "Problem with the mixing valve, not
the boiler." Interview with the administrator on 07/22/03 at
3:45 p.m. who stated," The plumber will be here tonight."
15. Interview with the plumber in the presence of the
administrator on 07/23/03 at 10:00 a.m. who stated,"
cause (of the high hot water temperature) was the mixing
valve. The old one was not efficient. The mixing valve and the
pump has been replaced."
16. On 07/24/03 at approximately 9:00 a.m., the
administrator provided a log of resident bathroom sink water
temperatures, which ranged between 108 degrees F and 116
degrees F. The administrator stated during an interview on
07/23/03 at approximately 3:00 p.m.," I will monitor the water
temperatures every day for the next 2 weeks and then every
week for the next couple of months to assure that we are
maintaining acceptable water temperatures. If they remain
stable, we will check 1 time a month for quality assurance."
17. Based on the foregoing, Ft. Lauderdale Health «&
Rehabilitation Center violated Title 42, Section 483.25(h) (1),
Code of Federal Regulations as incorporated by Rule 59A-
4.1288, Florida Administrative Code, herein classified as a
Class I deficiency pursuant to Section 400.23(8) (a), Fla.
Stat., which carries, in this case, an assessed fine of
$12,500.00 This violation also gives rise to a conditional
licensure status pursuant to Section 400.23(7) (b).
COUNT II
ADDITIONAL FINE UNDER SECTION 400.19(3), Fla. Stat.
18. The Agency, in addition to any administrative fines
imposed, may assess a survey fee. The fine for the 2-year
period shall be $6,000, one half to be paid at the completion
of each survey.
DISPLAY OF LICENSE
Pursuant to Section 400.23(7)(e), Florida Statutes, Ft.
Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center shall post the
license in a prominent place that is in clear and unobstructed
public view at or near the place where residents are being
admitted to the facility.
The Conditional License is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”
CLAIM FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner, State of Florida Agency for
Health Care Administration requests the following relief:
A. Make factual and legal findings in favor of the
Agency on Count I.
B. Assess an administrative fine of $12,500.00
against Ft. Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center, and
assess a $6,000 survey fee pursuant to Section 400.19(3), Fla.
Stat. on Count I
Cc. Assess and assign a conditional license status
to Ft. Lauderdale Health & Rehabilitation Center in accordance
with Section 400.23(7) (b), Florida Statutes.
D. Grant such other relief as this Court deems is
just and proper.
Respondent is notified that it has a right to request an
administrative hearing pursuant to Sections 120.569 and
120.57, Florida Statutes (2001). Specific options for
administrative action are set out in the attached Election of
Rights and explained in the attached Explanation of Rights.
All requests for hearing shall be made to the Agency for
Health Care Administration, and delivered to the Agency for
Health Care Administration, Lealand McCharen, Agency Clerk,
2727 Mahan Drive, Building #3, Mail Stop #3, Tallahassee,
Florida 32308.
RESPONDENT IS FURTHER NOTIFIED THAT THE FAILURE TO RECEIVE A
REQUEST FOR A HEARING WITHIN 21 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THIS
COMPLAINT WILL RESULT IN AN ADMISSION OF THE FACTS ALLEGED IN
THE COMPLAINT AND THE ENTRY OF A FINAL ORDER BY THE AGENCY.
E.