F0558

D

Failure to Keep Call Lights Within Reach of Dependent Residents

Alexandria, Louisiana Survey Completed on 01-07-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to reasonably accommodate residents’ needs and preferences by not ensuring that call lights were accessible to multiple residents, contrary to the facility’s own call light policy requiring staff to place the call light within the resident’s reach before leaving the room. For Resident #2, who had hemiplegia, generalized muscle weakness, repeated falls, and was dependent for toileting, hygiene, bathing, dressing, rolling, and transfers, surveyors observed the call light hanging off the left side of the bed, dangling below the bottom of the mattress. Resident #2 stated she was unable to locate the call light. When accompanied by S4LPN, it was confirmed that the call light was not within reach but should have been accessible to the resident at all times.

For Resident #3, who had hemiplegia, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, muscle weakness, syncope and collapse, a history of falling, and severely impaired cognition with a BIMS score of 3, surveyors observed the call light hanging off the left side of the bed near the floor. Resident #3 reported being unable to locate the call light, and S11CNA confirmed that the call light was not within reach and should have been. For Resident R4, who had abnormalities of gait and mobility, generalized muscle weakness, age-related physical debility, and repeated falls, surveyors observed the resident lying in bed with the call light on the floor to the left of the bed. S6CNA confirmed that this call light also was not within reach but should have been. Additional interviews with S10LPN and S3QI confirmed that facility practice and expectations were for call lights to be on the bed, within reach of residents, and in their hand when possible, reinforcing that the observed situations represented failures to follow established procedures.