Call Light Not Accessible to Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's call light was within reach and accessible, as required by facility policy and the resident's care plan. The resident, who had chronic respiratory failure, type 2 diabetes, cellulitis, cognitive impairment, and was dependent on staff for ADLs, was observed in bed unable to locate or reach her call light. The call light was found hanging on the floor, out of the resident's reach, while she was calling out for help to get out of bed and get dressed. The resident reported she had been trying to find help for a while and was unaware of the call light's location. Staff present at the nursing station were not aware of the resident's need for assistance, and the LPN on duty stated she had just arrived and did not know who was assigned to the resident. Upon entering the room, the LPN confirmed the call light was out of reach and acknowledged it should have been attached to the resident's clothes. Review of facility policy confirmed that call lights are to always be placed within reach of residents, but this policy was not implemented in this instance.