Failure to Ensure Call Light Accessibility and Hearing Aid Provision
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a history of hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a stroke, as well as other medical conditions such as anxiety, chronic pain, asthma, and neuromuscular bladder dysfunction, was found to have deficiencies in care related to the accommodation of their needs and preferences. The resident's care plan identified a risk for falls due to left-sided weakness and included interventions to ensure the call light was within reach. However, on multiple occasions, the call light was observed to be placed on the resident's left side, which was affected by paralysis, making it inaccessible. The resident reported that staff sometimes intentionally placed the call light out of reach, requiring the use of a reacher to access needed items. Staff confirmed the call light was not within reach and only corrected its placement after being notified by the surveyor. Additionally, the resident's Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment indicated the use of hearing aids, but the care plan did not address hearing or hearing aids. The resident was observed without hearing aids and stated that staff did not assist with putting them in, requiring the resident to request this assistance. The Director of Nursing confirmed the absence of a care plan for hearing aids and acknowledged that the call light should have been within reach due to the resident's limited mobility. The facility did not have a specific call light policy, relying instead on the standard of care.