Failure to Respond Timely to Resident Call Lights Due to Insufficient Staffing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to respond to resident call lights in a timely manner for seven residents, as evidenced by direct observations, interviews, and review of facility records. The facility's own policy requires call lights to be answered as soon as possible, and the facility assessment states that sufficient nursing staff must be available to meet resident needs. Multiple grievances were filed by residents regarding slow call light response times, and staff interviews confirmed that inadequate staffing contributed to delays. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) reported being overwhelmed and unable to answer all call lights promptly due to insufficient staffing levels. Residents described waiting extended periods for assistance, with one resident reporting a wait of an hour and a half after an episode of incontinence, and another stating that call lights could go unanswered for over an hour. Direct observation by the surveyor confirmed call lights going unanswered for 10 to 21 minutes. Family members also reported long waits for call light responses. The administrator acknowledged that call lights should be answered within five to ten minutes and that it was unacceptable for them to go unanswered for 20 minutes or more.