Call Light Not Accessible to Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident's call light was not within reach, as observed during a survey. The call light was found hanging from the left side of the bed rail down to the floor, making it inaccessible to the resident. The resident reported being unable to find the call light and expressed concern that staff would not be able to respond promptly if assistance was needed. Both a CNA and a licensed nurse confirmed the call light was not in the proper place and acknowledged that the resident would not be able to get help right away, which created a safety risk. The Director of Nursing also confirmed that call lights should always be within reach and that failure to do so placed the resident at risk for a fall. The resident involved had multiple diagnoses, including senile degeneration of the brain, Parkinson's disease with dyskinesia, unspecified dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, palliative care, depressive disorder, and a recent fracture of the right femur. The resident's care plan specifically included interventions to keep the call light within reach, particularly due to a history of an unwitnessed fall and the femur fracture. Facility policy also required that call lights be accessible to residents when in bed, but this was not followed in this instance.