Call Light Inaccessible for Resident with Impaired Mobility and Cognition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's call light was accessible, as required to reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident. The resident involved had moderately impaired cognition, diagnoses of paranoid schizophrenia and PTSD, upper extremity impairment on one side, required staff assistance with most activities of daily living and mobility, and was frequently incontinent of bladder and occasionally incontinent of bowel. During observation, the resident was found sitting in a recliner/lift chair with the call light stuck inside the bottom of the chair and not within reach. A nursing assistant confirmed the call light was not accessible and was unable to immediately fix the issue, stating it would be addressed later. Both an LPN and the DON confirmed that call lights should be within reach of residents for safety. The facility was unable to provide a policy regarding call lights when requested.