HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation, patient and staff interviews, and policy review the facility failed to ensure that for one of ten sampled patients, Patient #6, who is a quadriplegic, nursing assessed the care needs of the patient to ensure that he received care in a safe setting, by providing the patient the ability to turn on a call bell when help was needed.

The findings include:

1. During interview with sampled Patient #6, who was chosen randomly during tour of the Central Nursing Unit from patients who were alert and oriented, on 6/23/11 at 1:15 PM, the patient was asked if his call bell was answered promptly. The patient replied that he can't reach for his call bell because he is unable to move his hands. He stated that he has to wait for someone to come into the room if he needs assistance or help with anything. He also stated that there are people in his room most of the time.

2.Observation of Patient #6 during the interview on 6/23/11 revealed that he was unable to move either his arms or his legs. Although the call bell was on his bed, he would not be able to use it. The patient was also observed to have a private room thus no roommate and a low voice which would most likely not be heard if he called for help.

3. Interview on 6/23/11 at 1:35 PM with the nurse who was caring for Patient #6, who was admitted to the facility on 6/17/11, revealed that she didn't know why the patient did not have a call bell adaptor that could be operated with his mouth. She stated that she hadn't thought about it because she and the PCT (patient care technician) had been rounding so frequently and that the patient's family was also usually present.

4. Interview on 6/23/11 at 1:45 PM with the Director of Nursing Resources revealed she did not know why the patient wasn't given a "push and puff " device to activate his call bell with his mouth when he needed assistance. She stated he would be provided one immediately. She stated that he was the only patient in the facility, currently and recently, who was both unable to use his hands and who was alert and oriented enough to want and know to use the call bell device if needed.

5. Review on 6/23/11 of the hospital policy titled: "ADA(Americans with Disabilities Act) Accessible Facilities" revealed that the policy stated under section #2: That the hospital will be required to provide the same level of service and access to disabled persons as for able-bodied persons.