Call Light Accessibility Not Ensured for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with diagnoses of venous insufficiency, multiple sclerosis, and osteoporosis, who was cognitively intact but dependent on staff for toileting, bathing, dressing, and required substantial assistance for personal hygiene, was observed to have their call light lying on the floor out of reach. Further observation showed that after a CNA attached the call light to the resident's bed sheet near her right arm, the resident was still unable to reach it. Both CNAs involved confirmed during interviews that the call light was not accessible to the resident at the time of observation. These findings demonstrate that the facility failed to ensure the call light was within reach for a resident who was dependent on staff for most activities of daily living, resulting in a lack of reasonable accommodation for the resident's needs and preferences.