Failure to Timely Repair Malfunctioning Call Bell System
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the timely repair of a malfunctioning call bell light for one resident. Observations revealed that the call bell light above the resident's door was continuously flashing and sounding for an extended period, with the issue persisting from at least 07/21/2025 to 08/12/2025. The resident and their roommate were provided with bells to ring as an alternative, but the resident reported that staff sometimes did not hear the bells, resulting in delays in response. The resident also stated that the call bell light had been malfunctioning for about a month and a half, and a family member confirmed that the issue had been ongoing for weeks, causing the resident to wait for assistance and sometimes requiring them to go into the hallway to get staff attention. A grievance was filed by the resident regarding untimely responses to the call bell, and the Social Service Director acknowledged the malfunction and the interim use of bells. The Maintenance Director reported attempts to repair the system, including replacing parts and installing a new box, but the problem recurred shortly after. There was no documentation of work orders for the call bell issue, and the Maintenance Director relied on informal observation rather than formal tracking. The ongoing malfunction and lack of timely repair led to the deficiency cited in the report.