Failure to Develop Care Plans for Mechanical Lift Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement care plans for four residents who required the use of a mechanical lift for transfers. Despite facility policy requiring a comprehensive, person-centered care plan for each resident to address safety and health care needs, there was no written plan outlining the use of a mechanical lift for these residents. Record reviews showed that each of the four residents was dependent on staff for transfers and could not bear weight, as documented in their respective admission records, Minimum Data Sets (MDS), and lift/transfer evaluations. During a review of the care plans with the facility administrator, it was confirmed that none of the four residents had an active or discontinued care plan indicating the need for a mechanical lift for transfers. The administrator acknowledged that such a care plan should have been present for residents requiring this level of assistance. The absence of these care plans was identified through both record review and staff interview.