Call Light Not Accessible for High-Risk Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident, admitted with multiple sclerosis, COPD, and dementia, was found to have their call light on the floor and out of reach. The resident's care plan, which addressed their high risk for falls and injury, specifically required that the call light be placed within reach and that the resident be instructed to use it when needing assistance. The Minimum Data Set indicated the resident had moderately impaired cognition and required maximal assistance for several activities of daily living. The Fall Risk Assessment further confirmed the resident was at high risk for falls. During an observation, a Licensed Vocational Nurse confirmed that the call light was not within the resident's reach and acknowledged that this was necessary for resident safety. The Director of Nursing also stated that the call light should have been accessible and that its absence could delay care. The facility's policy required that each resident have a means to call staff for assistance from their bed, but this was not followed in this instance.