Call Light Not Within Reach for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident was observed lying in bed with the call light placed on the left side of the bed, out of the resident's reach. The resident, who was dependent on staff for activities of daily living and had intact cognition, stated she was unable to reach the call light to request assistance with personal care. The resident's admission record indicated diagnoses of seizure and acute respiratory failure. The care plan for this resident, who was at risk for falling, specified that the call light should be kept within reach. During a concurrent observation and interview, a registered nurse confirmed that the call light was not within the resident's reach and acknowledged that it should have been accessible to the resident. The facility's policy and procedure also required that the call light be provided and placed within reach when the resident is in bed. The failure to ensure the call light was accessible constituted a deficiency in accommodating the resident's needs and preferences.