Delayed Call Light Response Due to Staffing Issues
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to consistently answer call lights within a reasonable amount of time, defined as 15 minutes or less, for four residents. Resident interviews revealed that staff response times exceeded 15 minutes, resulting in residents arriving late for meals and experiencing distress. Specifically, one resident reported waiting over an hour for assistance, while others described repeated delays that caused frustration and upset. Staff interviews confirmed that call lights often went unanswered for longer than 15 minutes, particularly when staff were required to take residents outside to smoke, which left fewer staff available to respond to other residents' needs. The affected residents had varying degrees of assistance required for activities of daily living (ADLs), including transfers, dressing, personal hygiene, and meal attendance. Their medical histories included conditions such as muscle weakness, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, anxiety, and congestive heart failure. The facility's policy required prompt response to call lights, but both staff and residents reported that low staffing levels contributed to missed or delayed care, directly impacting the timeliness of assistance provided.