Delayed Call Light Response for Resident Requiring Assistance
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with a history of cerebral vascular accident, right-sided hemiplegia, and speech and language deficits, who requires supervision with toileting and uses a walker, activated the call light for staff assistance. The resident waited a total of 11 minutes before the call light was answered by the Assistant Director of Nursing, despite a certified nursing assistant in a purple uniform walking past the room without responding to the call light. The resident's care plan and medical records indicate intact cognition and a need for staff support with toileting due to physical limitations. The resident's roommate confirmed that delays in call light response are frequent, sometimes lasting hours, and that the resident often requires help with toileting and dressing. Facility policy states that call lights should be answered as soon as possible, and both the Director of Nursing and Administrator acknowledged that it is not acceptable for staff to ignore call lights or delay responses. The observed delay and staff inaction directly contributed to the deficiency in timely response to resident needs.