Failure to Maintain Call Light and Overbed Table Within Resident's Reach
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with chronic respiratory failure, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and moderate cognitive impairment was observed sitting in a wheelchair, unable to access their overbed table and call light. The overbed table, which held personal items including a beverage and television remote, was placed across the room out of the resident's reach. The call light was found wrapped around the bed rail behind the resident's wheelchair, also out of reach. The resident reported being unable to reach the overbed table and unable to call for staff assistance due to the inaccessible call light. The resident's care plan indicated a need for assistance with activities of daily living due to decreased mobility, shortness of breath, and altered cognition, and included an intervention to encourage use of the call light for assistance. During the observation, facility staff confirmed that both the call light and overbed table were not within the resident's reach, which did not accommodate the resident's needs and preferences as required.