F0558 F558: Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
E

Insufficient Over-the-Bed Tables on C Unit

Northwood Rehabilitation & Health Care CenterLowell, Massachusetts Survey Completed on 08-15-2025

Summary

The facility failed to provide each resident with an over-the-bed table on the C unit. Survey observations showed that the C unit had tray tables for only 19 of the 41 beds available on the floor. A CNA stated that over-the-bed tables had been taken to other units in recent months, leaving residents on the C unit without enough tables and forcing residents to share tables from room to room. The CNA also said this created wait times for meal service, prevented activity materials from being kept within reach, and eliminated a place for residents to keep personal items. Surveyors observed multiple instances of residents and family members needing a tray table and staff having to locate one from another area or another resident's room. A family member had to ask the nurse's station for a table so she could provide coffee and a snack to her mother, and staff retrieved a table from the hallway that had been used for an activity task. On two separate occasions, staff brought meals into a resident's room and then had to take the meal back to the hallway to find a table before entering the room again. Another resident was brought into the hallway for an activity task, but no table was available and staff had to get one from a different resident's room. The Administrator acknowledged awareness that the C unit did not have enough tables for each resident and said he believed maintenance had ordered 22 tables, but no order history was provided.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

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See other F0558 citations
Failure to Provide Requested Enabler Bars
D
F0558 F558: Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Short Summary

Failure to provide requested enabler bars: A resident with HF, HTN, and renal insufficiency was assessed by OT as needing assist bars for bed mobility, but the resident remained without enabler bars despite stating she had requested them since admission. Nursing and OT staff confirmed the bars were not in place, and OT indicated the observation/order process likely was never entered.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Call Lights Not Within Reach for Multiple Residents
E
F0558 F558: Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Short Summary

Call lights were not kept within reach for five residents reviewed for residents' rights. Residents with diagnoses including bipolar disorder, stroke, TBI, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, PTSD, diabetes, schizoaffective disorder, OCD, and unsteadiness on feet were observed with call lights placed under beds, hung on wall hooks out of reach, or coiled and pinned so they could not independently access them. An LPN and the DON stated the call lights should have been within the residents' reach.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Call Light Not Kept Within Resident Reach
D
F0558 F558: Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Short Summary

A resident with a Right Femur Fracture, Anxiety Disorder, and moderate cognitive impairment was repeatedly observed in bed with the call light clipped onto itself at the head of the mattress, out of view and reach. The resident could not identify how to contact staff at times and stated they wanted the call light where they could see and reach it; the UM and DON confirmed call lights are to be kept within resident reach.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Assess Call Light Use and Provide Adaptive Call Light
D
F0558 F558: Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Short Summary

A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and significant care needs had ongoing difficulty using the standard call light, but the record had no formal assessment of call light ability and no adaptive call light was tried. The resident and family reported delayed responses and confusion about whether the call light had been activated, while an NA said the resident complained almost daily that staff did not answer. The DON confirmed the resident did not like a pancake call light, but no formal assessment had been completed.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Call Light Not Kept Within Resident’s Reach
D
F0558 F558: Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Short Summary

A resident with intact cognition, generalized weakness, and COPD was found in bed on multiple observations with the call system device tucked inside the nightstand drawer and out of reach. The care plan directed staff to keep the call light within reach, and the DON confirmed it should have been placed within the resident’s reach.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Call Light Left Out of Reach
D
F0558 F558: Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Short Summary

A resident with paraplegia and bilateral above-the-knee amputations was observed in bed with his call light on the floor and out of reach on multiple occasions. He was alert and oriented, able to use the call light, and stated he could not reach it to ask for help with his menu, nasal cannula, or breakfast. Staff confirmed the call light should have been within his reach, and the facility policy required call lights to remain within reach for residents able to use them.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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