F0919

E

Nonfunctional Call Lights in Second-Floor Shower Rooms

Hazel Crest, Illinois Survey Completed on 08-14-2025

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

Surveyors identified that call lights in 2 of the 3 shower rooms on the second floor were nonfunctional, despite facility policy requiring operable call systems to allow residents to request assistance. During an observation of the second-floor shower rooms with an LPN, it was confirmed that the call lights in these two shower rooms did not work. The LPN stated that any of the shower rooms could be used by any of the 91 residents residing on that floor and reported that the call lights had not been working since a specific Friday. The LPN also acknowledged that call lights are important for patient safety.

Further interviews showed that the Maintenance Director reported an external company had been contacted to repair the inoperative call lights but could not confirm how long they had been nonfunctional. The DON stated that the call lights in the second-floor shower rooms had been out for about two or three days and confirmed that call lights must be operable and functioning properly in case a resident requires immediate staff accessibility. Facility policies titled "Call Light" and "Resident Rights" documented that bathroom call lights should be treated as emergencies requiring immediate attention and that call bell system defects must be promptly reported to Maintenance, as well as the requirement to follow policies and rules that support quality care and a safe environment. Despite these policies, the call lights in two second-floor shower rooms remained nonfunctional for multiple days while still available for use by residents.