Failure to Maintain Functional Hoyer Lift Equipment and Maintenance Records
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure essential Hoyer lift equipment and related maintenance systems were functioning properly. One of two Hoyer lift battery chargers in the designated charging station was observed not charging the Hoyer lift battery, despite power reaching the charging port. Two cognitively intact residents, each with a BIMS score of 15 on their respective MDS assessments, reported prior incidents in which the Hoyer lift stopped working due to dead batteries while they were in full body slings—one while in bed and the other while in a wheelchair. The facility’s existing policy on using mechanical lifting machines required staff to make sure the battery is charged before use. The facility also lacked appropriate maintenance oversight and documentation for the Hoyer lifts and their batteries. The Maintenance Supervisor stated that no maintenance log was kept for the Hoyer lifts and that work orders were not being submitted for these devices. The Administrator reported not knowing whether there was an official P&P for the Hoyer lift and confirmed there was no owner’s manual for the Hoyer lift batteries, and he was not aware of any maintenance logs. This was inconsistent with the facility’s Maintenance Service policy, which assigned responsibility to the maintenance department and director to maintain equipment in a safe and operable manner and to develop and maintain a schedule of maintenance service.
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