Failure to Ensure Call Lights Were Accessible to Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide reasonable accommodation to meet the needs of two residents by not ensuring that their call lights were kept within reach, as required by facility policy. For one resident with moderately impaired cognition and functional limitations requiring substantial or maximal assistance with dressing and hygiene, the call light was observed hanging below the bed mattress and not accessible. The resident was unable to locate the call light when asked, and both an LVN and a CNA confirmed that the call light was not within reach, acknowledging its importance for residents to request assistance. A second resident, who was cognitively intact but unable to make medical decisions, was also found with a call light clipped and hung on the side of the bed out of reach. The resident attempted but was unable to reach the call light. An LVN verified the inaccessibility and subsequently moved the call light within the resident's reach. The DON confirmed that call lights must be placed within easy reach, especially on the resident's strong side if there is any weakness or paralysis, and acknowledged that inaccessibility would prevent residents' needs from being met.