Call Light Not Accessible to Resident with Fall Risk
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with diagnoses including unspecified dementia, dysphagia, and a history of falls was found to have their call light out of reach. The resident's care plan specifically required that the call light be kept within reach and that the resident be encouraged to use it for assistance. During an observation, the resident was seated in a wheelchair near the foot of the bed, while the call light was wrapped and hung on the opposite side rail, making it inaccessible to the resident. When interviewed, the CNA responsible for the resident admitted to forgetting to place the call light within reach and acknowledged that it should not have been left on the opposite side of the bed. The DON confirmed that all call lights should be accessible to residents at all times and noted the resident's increased risk due to a history of falls. The facility's policy also required staff to ensure call lights are accessible to residents, but this was not followed in this instance.