Failure to Accommodate Resident Needs and Preferences for Call Light Access and Language Interpretation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accommodate the needs and preferences of two residents by not ensuring a call light was within reach for one resident and by not providing appropriate language interpretation for another. In the first instance, a resident with severe cognitive impairment, dementia, anxiety disorder, and a history of falls was observed on multiple occasions with his call light placed out of reach, despite being dependent on staff for activities of daily living and repositioning. The resident stated he could not reach the call light, and staff confirmed that the call light should be accessible to allow the resident to request assistance. Facility policy required staff to ensure the call light was within easy reach, but this was not followed. In the second instance, a resident with Parkinson's disease, hemiplegia, generalized muscle weakness, and depression, who preferred to communicate in Cambodian and required an interpreter, was not provided with language assistance. Staff communicated with the resident in English, assuming he understood because he could say a few words, and did not use a communication board or interpreter. Observations showed the resident did not respond to staff communication in English, and staff relied on facial expressions to interpret his needs. The resident's emergency contact confirmed his preference for Cambodian, and facility policy required the use of interpreters or visual aids for residents with communication barriers, which was not implemented. Interviews with staff and review of facility policies confirmed that the call light should be within reach and that residents have the right to be informed and participate in their care planning in their preferred language. The failure to follow these policies resulted in the residents being unable to request assistance or understand the care being provided to them.