Failure to Ensure Resident Call Bell Accessibility
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to accommodate the needs of a resident by not ensuring the resident's call bell was accessible. The resident, who was admitted with diagnoses including diabetes mellitus, pressure injury, and embolism, was assessed as cognitively intact but required moderate to total assistance for mobility and activities of daily living. The resident's care plan included interventions to place common items within reach and to remind the resident to use the call light for assistance. However, during observation, the call bell was found dangling from the side rail to the floor, out of the resident's reach, and the resident was unaware of its location. An interview with an LPN revealed that the call bell had likely fallen off the bed earlier and had not been returned to an accessible position. Facility policy requires that call bell cords not be in contact with the floor and be properly clipped. The administrative staff, including the interim administrator, DON, and vice president of operations, were made aware of the finding. No additional information was provided prior to the survey exit.