Inaccessible Over-Bed Light Switches Limit Resident Independence
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide residents with access to a safe, comfortable, and homelike environment by not ensuring that over-bed lights were accessible to residents. A resident reported difficulty seeing while reading in bed and believed the light bulb was not bright enough. Investigation revealed that each bed had an overhead light fixture with a toggle switch located at the head of the bed, requiring residents to get out of bed and walk to operate it. The administrator confirmed that most residents could not access the switches independently and that only three residents in the facility were able to walk unassisted to the head of the bed. The administrator acknowledged that she had not noticed the lack of accessible controls and agreed that a chain or rope would be needed for residents to operate the lights safely.