Call Light Not Accessible to Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with hemiplegia and hemiparesis, who required substantial to maximal assistance with activities of daily living and was dependent for toileting, was found in bed with the call light on the floor and not within reach. During observation and interview, a licensed nurse was unable to locate the call light on the bed and confirmed it was on the floor, acknowledging that it should have been within the resident's reach. The resident's care plan indicated a need for assistance due to bed-bound status and included an intervention to encourage the use of the call light for assistance. The Director of Nursing stated that the expectation was for the call light to be within reach, noting that its absence could make it difficult for the resident to request assistance for needs such as pain medication, toileting, and transferring. Review of the facility's policy and procedure on answering call lights confirmed that staff are required to ensure the call light is within easy reach of residents who are in bed or confined to a chair.