Delayed Call Light Response for Resident Requiring Assistance With Daily Tasks
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to the facility’s failure to ensure timely response to a resident’s call light. During an unannounced complaint investigation for quality-of-care issues, a resident with decision-making capacity and recent fractures of the right ulna, right radius, and multiple right-sided ribs was observed and interviewed. The resident, who was right-handed and wearing a long arm splint and sling on the right arm, reported difficulty performing normal daily tasks and stated that call lights were typically answered between five and 30 minutes. The resident also stated she required assistance with dating her food and was waiting for staff to come and help. During the interview, the resident activated her call light at 12:17 p.m., and the Treatment Nurse did not respond until approximately 15 minutes later, at 12:32 p.m. Staff interviews revealed inconsistent expectations for call light response times: the Treatment Nurse stated all staff are responsible for answering call lights and that residents should not wait 15 minutes; the CNA stated call lights should be answered within five to 10 minutes; and the LVN stated call lights should be answered immediately and that delays of up to 15 minutes could result in the resident’s needs not being met and increase the risk of falls. The resident’s care plan indicated the resident was at low risk for falls and required that the call light be within reach, with encouragement to use it for assistance, and that the resident needed a prompt response to all requests for assistance. The facility’s policy on answering call lights directed staff to respond timely and, when possible, complete the resident’s request within five minutes.
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