Failure to Provide Adequate Hoyer Lifts for Resident Transfers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to make reasonable accommodations to meet the needs and preferences of two residents who required a Hoyer lift for transfers. Both residents had medical conditions necessitating total assistance with transfers: one with morbid obesity and chronic pain syndrome, and the other with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a stroke. Observations, interviews, and record reviews revealed that there were only three functioning Hoyer lifts available for over 100 residents, with at least ten residents in one station alone requiring the device. Staff and residents reported frequent delays in transfers due to the limited number of lifts, resulting in residents having to wait for extended periods or missing scheduled activities. Resident A reported disruptions to his established daily routine, including delays in being transferred to and from bed, which sometimes resulted in not being up at his preferred time. Resident B experienced missed activities, specifically being unable to attend scheduled smoking times on multiple occasions due to the unavailability of a Hoyer lift. Staff interviews confirmed that these delays were common and directly related to the insufficient number of mechanical lifts. Facility policies required accommodation of resident needs and preferences to the extent possible, but the lack of adequate equipment led to unmet care plans and resident dissatisfaction.