Failure to Ensure Proper Positioning in Geri Chair During Resident Transport
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that a resident was safely positioned while being transported in a geri chair. During an observation, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) was seen pushing a resident in a geri chair with the resident's feet dragging on the floor and the resident's head only partially supported by the headrest, leaving it partially in midair. The CNA acknowledged that the resident's position was not good, noting that the feet were dragging and the head was not fully resting on the chair, and stated an intention to reposition the resident to prevent potential harm. The resident involved had cognitive impairment and was dependent on staff for activities of daily living, as documented in the Minimum Data Set. The Director of Nursing confirmed that residents should be properly positioned in the geri chair, with feet off the ground and the head fully supported, to ensure comfort and prevent injury. The facility's policy emphasized the importance of maintaining an environment free from accident hazards and providing adequate supervision and assistance to prevent accidents.