Call Light Not Accessible to Resident with Functional Limitations
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to ensure that the call light device was within reach for one of six sampled residents. The resident, who had diagnoses including Parkinson's disease, diaphragmatic hernia, and lack of coordination, was admitted with significant functional limitations in both arms and moderately impaired cognition. The Minimum Data Set indicated the resident required substantial to maximal assistance with most activities of daily living and was dependent for bathing, dressing, and toilet hygiene. During an observation, the resident was found lying in bed, unable to reach the call light, which was placed over a foot away on an oxygen concentrator. The resident was unable to call for assistance after spilling food and needing help to clean and change clothing. A CNA confirmed that she had placed the call light out of reach earlier and forgot to return it to an accessible position. Both the CNA and the DON acknowledged that the call light should always be within the resident's reach, as per facility policy.