Bariatric Bed Placement Impedes Resident Mobility
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a bariatric bed did not impede the free movement of staff and a resident. During observation and interview, it was noted that a resident's room was crowded due to the presence of a bariatric bed and a bedside table belonging to the roommate. The resident reported feeling closed in and stated that the size of the bariatric bed made it difficult to move around the room. Specifically, the resident indicated that opening the bathroom door caused it to bump into the foot of the roommate's bed, and she could only safely exit her own bed from one side. The resident expressed frustration about not having enough room to move freely in her room. Record review showed that the resident had intact cognition and required varying levels of assistance for mobility and activities of daily living, including walking, toileting, and dressing. The federal guidance reviewed indicated that the measurement of usable living space in the room should include the swing or arc of any door opening directly into the resident's room. The deficient practice resulted in impeding the free movement of the resident and had the potential to impede the free movement of staff and guests.