Call Bell Not Kept Within Reach for Resident at Risk for Falls
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with muscle weakness, a thoracic vertebra compression fracture, and dementia did not have their call bell within reach on multiple occasions. Facility policy and the resident's care plan both required that the call bell be accessible at the bedside, especially given the resident's fall risk. Despite these requirements, surveyors observed the call bell on the floor between the bed and the wall, out of the resident's reach, during several checks over two days. The resident reported being unable to locate the call bell and stated they would yell for help if needed. Interviews with staff confirmed that call bells should be kept within reach and that the resident was capable of using the call bell if it were accessible. Both a CNA and an LPN acknowledged the expectation that call bells be clipped to the bed and within reach of residents. However, the repeated observations showed that this was not consistently done for the resident in question, resulting in a failure to reasonably accommodate the resident's needs and preferences as required by facility policy and the care plan.