Non-Functional Call Light System in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident's call light system was found to be non-functional, preventing the resident from being able to summon staff assistance. The resident, a male with a history of lobar pneumonia and Parkinson's Disease, had moderate cognitive impairment and required significant assistance with activities of daily living, including transfers and continence care. During an observation, the resident reported that his call light had not been answered for the past week. When tested, the call light failed to activate the indicator outside the room, confirming it was not working. The call light cords for both beds were found unplugged and only worked after being re-inserted. Staff interviews revealed that the call light system is considered essential for resident safety and communication of needs. The facility's policy requires that call lights be accessible and functional in all resident areas, including bathrooms and bathing facilities, and that all staff are responsible for monitoring and reporting any issues. Despite these policies, the non-functional call light was not identified or addressed in a timely manner, resulting in the resident being unable to reliably call for assistance.