Call Light Not Accessible to Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident's call light was found on the floor behind the dresser, out of the resident's reach, while the resident was asleep in bed. Multiple staff members, including an Activities Aide, LVN, CNA, and the DON, confirmed during interviews that the call light should have been within the resident's reach at all times. The facility's policy also requires that all residents, including those who are confused, have access to the call signal at all times and know how to use it. The resident involved had a history of dementia, difficulty walking, osteoarthritis, and a previous stroke, and was assessed as having severely impaired cognitive skills and requiring assistance with personal hygiene. The resident's care plan specifically indicated that the call light should be within easy reach. The failure to ensure the call light was accessible was directly observed and acknowledged by staff, in contradiction to both the care plan and facility policy.