Call Light Not Within Reach for Resident with Severe Cognitive Impairment
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that a call light was within reach for a resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical diagnoses, including atherosclerosis of the aorta, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and hypertension. The resident required moderate to maximum assistance with activities of daily living such as toileting, dressing, personal hygiene, and mobility. During an observation, the resident was found sitting in a wheelchair with the call light hanging on the wall by the overhead light, out of the resident's reach. Both a registered nurse and the Director of Nursing confirmed during interviews that the call light should have been accessible to the resident to allow them to request assistance when needed. The facility's policy requires that each resident be provided with a means to call staff for assistance from their bed, toileting or bathing facilities, and from the floor. The failure to provide the call light within reach constituted a deficiency in accommodating the resident's needs and preferences.