WELLINGTON COUNTY – A compliance inspector from the Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) paid a five-day visit to Wellington Terrance Long-Term Care Home, the county-owned and operated seniors’ care facility located in Guelph, from Aug. 9 to 13.
Inspector Valerie Goldrup attended the home to examine fall and prevention management, infection prevention and control, air temperature monitoring and a resident rights complaint, according to public inspection reports and home administration staff.
The Advertiser addressed an email to home administrator Suzanne Dronick asking for details about the nature of the resident complaint but was deferred to county communications manager Andrea Ravensdale, who stated in an email a “resident was requesting their medication to be given to them at a different time of day.”
Ravensdale’s email did not provide additional information.
The inspector’s public report said a variety of staff were spoken with in addition to residents over the course of the five days.
“During the course of the inspection, the inspector observed resident and staff interactions, reviewed clinical health records, relevant home policies and procedures, and other pertinent documents,” a report stated.
The Advertiser asked the MLTC about the resident complaint and was referred to the province’s online inspection report database.
An emailed statement also provided read, in part, “The ministry confirms that there were no non-compliances issued to the operator as a result of this inspection.”
Goldrup also completed a “critical incident system” inspection during the visit, according to another slightly more detailed report.
“During the course of the inspection, the inspector observed resident and staff interactions, the home’s infection prevention and control practices and the home’s air temperatures,” the report states.
The inspector found air temperature levels weren’t being checked three times per day during specific time periods as required by law and a written notification was issued to the home.
“The licensee failed to ensure that air temperatures were measured and documented in writing, at a minimum, for specified home areas, during specified time periods, and that a record of the measurements were kept,” the report stated.
A temperature range of 22 to 26 degrees centigrade must be maintained and checked at least once every morning, afternoon and evening in bedrooms, common areas and on each floor of the home.
“Maintenance staff stated they were measuring and documenting one air temperature every shift starting July 9, 2021,” the report stated. The inspector also checked records of the home’s documented air temperatures.
If proper temperatures aren’t maintained, residents could be put “at risk for heat-related illness” according to Goldrup’s report.
Speaking to the county’s information, heritage and seniors committee on Sept. 8, the home’s administration said air temperature protocols were recently amended and checks weren’t being done on all floors because of an “oversight” from skimming over the changed protocols, amended in May.
Corrective changes were made to how air temperature checks are done at the home. Administration staff noted the home has an automated system which alerts if temperatures are out of range.
The home has previously been the subject of 19 other provincial inspections between 2010 and 2020.
Earlier this year, a compliance order was issued to the home because of inconsistent COVID-19 testing of staff, in addition to written notices issued surrounding wound care and taking steps to reduce physical altercations between residents.
