Call Light Not Within Reach for High-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's call light was within reach, as required by the resident's care plan and facility policy. During an observation, the call light was found stuck behind the resident's personal belongings, making it inaccessible. Certified Nurse Assistant 3 confirmed that the resident would not be able to find or reach the call light in its current position. The resident was assessed as high risk for falls and had severely impaired cognition, requiring significant assistance with daily activities. The resident's care plan specifically directed staff to keep the call light within reach and to answer it promptly, given the resident's history of attempting to get out of bed unassisted. The Director of Nursing also stated that the call light should be placed next to the resident's strong arm and hand to allow the resident to call for assistance. Facility policy further required that call lights be within reach when residents are in their rooms. These requirements were not met at the time of the surveyor's observation.