Call Lights Not Kept Within Reach for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that call lights were within reach for two residents, resulting in the potential for delayed response to their care needs. In one instance, a resident was observed in their wheelchair with their foot wedged between the wheelchair pedal and the bed rail, and when asked to activate their call light for assistance, reported not having access to it. The call light was found hanging on the side of the bed against the wall, out of the resident's reach. In another case, a resident requested assistance to use the restroom but was unable to reach the call light, which was clipped to the bed linens behind an oxygen concentrator, approximately five feet away. The facility's call light policy was reviewed and found not to address the requirement for call lights to be kept within resident reach.