Failure to Ensure Staff Competency and Mechanical Lift Safety
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that nursing staff were appropriately trained and educated on identifying and reporting mechanical lift maintenance concerns, specifically regarding the presence and function of rubber sling stoppers on mechanical lifts. Observations and interviews revealed that several mechanical lifts in use were missing these rubber sling stoppers, which are intended to prevent slings from sliding off the support bar during resident transfers. Multiple staff members, including nursing assistants, LPNs, and RNs, demonstrated a lack of understanding about the purpose of the rubber sling stoppers and reported using lifts without them or improvising alternative methods, such as double looping the strap. Only 27 out of 88 nursing staff had completed the required competency checklist for mechanical lift use, and staff were allowed to continue using the lifts for resident transfers even if they had not completed the mandatory training. Further review showed that the facility's policies required comprehensive orientation and ongoing training for safe use of mechanical lifts, but these were not consistently implemented. The administrator was unaware if the facility had contacted the lift manufacturer for service evaluations and acknowledged that an older lift, not routinely checked for maintenance, was still in use. The facility's own assessment and policies emphasized the importance of staff competency and regular training in safe resident handling, but these standards were not met, resulting in staff being unprepared to identify or report equipment maintenance issues.