Failure to Respond Timely to Call Light for Toileting Assistance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure timely response to a resident's call light for toileting assistance, resulting in the resident soiling herself and remaining in that condition for several hours. The resident, who has diagnoses including urinary tract infection, chronic heart failure, respiratory failure, morbid obesity, and chronic kidney disease, requires assistance from staff for toileting due to her inability to transfer safely. On the evening in question, the resident requested help from a CNA, who stated she would return but did not. The resident then activated her call light, but no staff responded until several hours later, by which time she had already soiled herself and experienced significant emotional distress. Facility policies require that call lights be answered within five minutes and that residents be treated with dignity and respect, including prompt assistance with toileting. Interviews with the resident and a CNA confirmed the delay in response and the resident's resulting distress. The administrator in training was unaware of the incident prior to the surveyor's inquiry but acknowledged that such a delay in assistance is unacceptable.