Failure to Ensure Call Bell Accessibility for Multiple Residents
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that five residents had access to their call bells, as observed on two separate occasions. During initial and follow-up rounds, these residents were found in their beds with their call bells on the floor behind the head of the bed, making them inaccessible. Staff interviews confirmed that it is the responsibility of all nursing staff, including RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, to ensure call bells are within residents' reach before leaving the room. Despite this, the call bells remained out of reach for the identified residents during both observation periods. When questioned, the Director of Nursing and other staff members acknowledged the expectation that call bells should be accessible to residents at all times. However, the facility did not have a written policy addressing call bell placement, and staff referenced general professional standards and fall prevention guidelines that require call bells to be within easy reach, especially for residents at high risk for falls. The deficiency was communicated to facility leadership, but no additional information or documentation was provided regarding policies or procedures related to call bell accessibility.