F-919 Resident Call System Clarification (SNF)

Recent updates were made to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance to §483.90(g)(1)‐(2) Resident Call System. The regulation states the facility must be adequately equipped to allow residents to call for staff assistance through a communication system which relays the call directly to a staff member or to a centralized staff work area from each resident’s bedside and toilet and bathing facilities.

The guidance outlines that the call system must be accessible to residents while in their bed or other sleeping accommodations within the resident’s room. In addition, the call system must be accessible to the resident at each toilet, bath, or shower and should be accessible to a resident lying on the floor.

There have been a number of questions arising from the guidance of call systems being accessible to a resident lying on the floor. In response, the association has sought clarification in conjunction with AHCA on interpretation from CMS. 

Jim Merrell from CMS shared his response to the statement in the State Operations Manual (SOM) on pg. 808 reading, “The call system must be accessible to the resident at each toilet and bath or shower facility. The call system should be accessible to a resident lying on the floor.”

Mr. Merrell explained that, while in the bathroom/shower the resident should be able to reach the cord/device while laying on floor. He shared the bathroom situation is considered a bit different than when in the bed, as the resident has to have access to call system while in bed or other sleeping accommodations but is not required if on the floor by the bed. Mr. Merrell shared that access to the call system while on the floor is only indicated when in the bathroom/shower.