Call light response time policy and procedure

[MYRN2016]

Hello:

I don't believe in reinventing the wheel. Thus, I am looking for the following:

1. Facility call light response policy and procedure (how long do you allow for CNA to answer call light)

2. Refusal of care policy and procedure.

Thanks.

[MilSpecRN, BSN, RN]

1: Anwser the call light immidiatly, dropping everything you are doing

2: Care can never be refused

Thanks.

[kool-aide, RN]

Please remember than RNs can answer call lights, too.

[MilSpecRN, BSN, RN]

At my hospital nurse aides do not carry phones, RNs anwser all the call lights

[kool-aide, RN]

At my hospital nurse aides do not carry phones, RNs anwser all the call lights

I would just love to throw that phone out the window sometimes! haha

[kool-aide, RN]

I apologize to OP: Nurses of any kind(RN/LPN) can answer call lights, too.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

1: Anwser the call light immidiatly, dropping everything you are doing

You're kidding, right?

[backatit2]

Please remember than RNs can answer call lights, too.

amen, amen, AMEN!!!

i get a 30 minute (unpaid) break and there are times while i'm taking that break that i will leave my break to answer a light if nobody is around. BUT there are times when 3-4 nurses will be sitting around sharing pics, talking about their weekend, etc. while they KNOW i'm on my break and they KNOW i haven't sat down all night and they will let it beep...and beep...and beep (once i timed it - 6 minutes/3 nurses)....when they are 2 feet away from the phone/call light system as if they expect me to leave my break and get it. i'm sorry, but i'm not going to change a crappy brief in the middle of my meal. i'm not going to answer a light only to hear someone say, "i need my pain meds" in the middle of my ONLY UNPAID break when there are nurses right there doing NOTHING. i think some nurses forget that we are the ASSISTANT and we are there to HELP - not to DO what they are capable of doing especially on break. UGH!

once again, AMEN!

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

1/ As soon as possible

2/ Discipline

[backatit2]

You're kidding, right?

i don't think that's unreasonable. obviously if i'm dressed out bc a patient is in isolation and i'm changing their bed i'm not going to stop what i'm doing, undress, and go answer the light that is probably, "can i get my pain meds" or "will you bring me some ice," BUT if i'm in the hall or in a patient's room that i'm able to step out of, i do think you/i should (and i do) go and answer it immediately. if it's "will you bring me some ice" i will finish up what i'm doing and then get some ice. if it's, "i need to go to the bathroom" i will go to their room right then if what i was doing can wait. when you gotta go, u gotta go!

[rn/writer, RN]

1: Anwser the call light immidiatly, dropping everything you are doing

Of course, call lights should be answered promptly. But you have to use common sense and do it safely. If you're walking a patient who needs assistance to the bathroom or taking orders from a doc on the phone, you finish the task as quickly as you can, but you don't just abruptly change gears and leave someone else hanging.

2: Care can never be refused

We need to have the OP clarify what "Refusal of care" means.

Staff cannot refuse to care for patients/residents, although there can be some redirection if requests are clearly inappropriate. The requests can't just be ignored.

Patients/residents may refuse care. That is their right. We can try to work with them, offering explanation and accommodation where possible, but we can't force them to accept any aspect of care they choose to reject.

[Dalla]

In the rehab facility I worked last, we (CNAs or RNs) were to answer call lights within 3 minutes. Of course, that rarely ever happened. When you have 2 CNAs trying to get 14 people to bed all at the same time and 1 RN trying to give meds to those 14 people so they can go to sleep, some patients are gonna have to wait quite awhile. Usually, someone would run into the room, find out what they needed, and say they would return as soon as possible.

As for refusal of cares - the CNAs are to encourage the patient to let them help, but it is up to the patient if they want to brush their teeth or get washed before bed. You cannot force someone to do something. CNAs were to document whatever cares were offered and refused.