Delayed Call Light Response for Dependent Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely responses to call lights for four residents who were dependent on staff for various activities of daily living, including toileting hygiene, showering, dressing, transfers, and mobility. Clinical record reviews, facility document reviews, and interviews with both staff and residents revealed that call light response times frequently exceeded the facility's expected standard of 15 minutes, particularly on weekends. Documented call light logs showed multiple instances where residents waited between 17 and 39 minutes for assistance, with several occurrences of wait times over 30 minutes. Residents reported that delays were especially pronounced on weekends, and some expressed frustration with the length of time it took to receive help. The residents involved had significant medical conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic obstructive lung disease, stroke, and dementia, and were largely dependent on staff for their care needs. Despite the presence of monitors displaying active call lights and their durations, the facility did not have a formal call light policy in place, instead relying on a state standard for response times. The deficiency was identified through a combination of resident interviews, review of call light logs, and staff interviews, all of which confirmed the pattern of delayed responses to resident needs.