Call Bell Not Placed Within Reach for Cognitively Impaired Resident
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to accommodate a resident's need by not ensuring the call bell was within reach for a resident with cognitive impairment and difficulty walking. The resident was observed sitting in a wheelchair next to the right side of the bed and was unable to locate or access the call bell, which was draped over the left side of the headboard. When asked, the resident stated he did not know where the call bell was and was unable to maneuver his wheelchair to reach it. A licensed practical nurse later entered the room, removed the call bell from the head of the bed, and clipped it to the resident's shirt while he was in his wheelchair. The LPN confirmed that the call bell was not within the resident's reach and acknowledged it should have been accessible. Facility administrative staff, including the administrator and director of nursing, were informed of these findings during the survey.