Failure to Control Excessive Call Light Noise in Resident Areas
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, comfortable, and homelike environment by not controlling excessive and persistent noise from the call light system in resident living areas. Observations revealed that the call light alarm, located at the nurses' station in a central area, produced a continuous, loud, high-pitched noise that could be heard throughout the resident hallways and common areas. The alarm frequently sounded for extended periods, with documented instances ranging from 8 to 34 minutes at a time, occurring multiple times over several days. Residents who were cognitively intact and had diagnoses such as schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, delusional disorders, mood affective disorder, diabetes, and chronic tension-type headache reported that the noise was irritating and disruptive, with one resident specifically stating it affected their sleep. Staff, including a TMA, RN, LPN, DON, and the administrator, acknowledged the negative impact of the persistent noise on both residents and staff. Staff reported difficulty concentrating and increased frustration, while residents expressed their annoyance and distress, sometimes resulting in negative behaviors. The DON and administrator recognized that the loud environment could trigger challenging behaviors and negatively affect quality of life, especially for residents with dementia. Despite staff reporting concerns about the noise, they were told that nothing could be done due to the age and design of the call light system, which continued to ring until manually turned off. Facility policies indicated a commitment to providing a quiet, comfortable environment, but these were not upheld in practice.