Failure to Ensure Resident Access to Light Switch
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with spinal stenosis, who was cognitively intact and used a wheelchair for mobility, was unable to access the light switch in her room. The over-bed light fixture's pull cord was broken, leaving only a 10-inch string that was positioned 3.5 feet from the floor and 3 feet from the bed, making it unreachable from the bed. The resident reported that she experienced frequent back pain and spent much of her time in bed, and stated she would like to use the light but could not reach the cord. She also mentioned that the cord had been broken for a long time and could not recall if she had notified staff when it first broke. Observations confirmed that the resident was unable to independently operate the light while in bed, and interviews with facility staff revealed that maintenance staff routinely repaired light cords throughout the facility but could not confirm if or when this particular cord had been fixed. Both the DON and the Administrator acknowledged that residents should be able to reach their light cords, with the Administrator adding that the resident could communicate her needs to staff if she wanted the light on. However, the lack of accessibility to the light switch for this resident was not addressed in a timely manner, resulting in a failure to reasonably accommodate her needs and preferences.