Call Light, Use of 

Purpose: 

• To respond promptly to residents’ calls for assistance. 

• To ensure the call system is in proper working order. 

Equipment: 

• Functioning bedside call light. 

• Functioning emergency call light. 

Procedure: 

1. Awareness and Response: 

• All facility personnel must always know of call lights. 

• Answer all call lights promptly, regardless of your assignment to the resident. 

2. Call Light Activation: 

• For bedside call lights, a light and a sound will appear and be heard over the door of the resident’s room and on the board at the nursing station. 

• For emergency call lights in bathrooms and shower/tub rooms, a light and a continuous sound will appear over the door of the room and on the board at the nursing station. 

3. Turning Off Call Lights: 

• Turn off the call light at the point of origin by pushing the switch up or depressing the ring around the button that activates the call light. 

• Answer all call lights in a prompt, calm, and courteous manner. 

• Turn off the call light as soon as you enter the room. 

4. Providing Assistance: 

• Never make the resident feel you are too busy to help. 

• Offer more help before leaving the room. 

• When providing care, position the call light conveniently for the resident to use. 

• Tell the resident where the call light is and show them how to use it. 

5. Orientation: 

• Orient all new residents to the call light at the bedside and in the bathroom and shower/tub rooms. 

• Have the resident demonstrate the use of the call light to ensure understanding of your instructions. 

6. Reporting and Maintenance: 

• Report any defective call lights to the charge nurse immediately. 

• If immediate repair is not possible, supply a “tap” bell as a temporary measure. 

• Log defective call lights, with exact location, in the maintenance log. 

7. Placement of Call Lights: 

• Ensure all call lights are placed on the bed at all times, never on the floor or bedside stand. 

Compliance and Documentation: 

• Adhere to CMS guidelines and Requirements of Participation for Long-Term Care Facilities. 

• Document any issues with call lights and the actions taken in the resident’s care plan. 

• Regularly review and update techniques for using call lights according to the latest clinical best practices and regulatory standards. 

• Provide training to staff on proper call light use to ensure resident safety and timely response. 

• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with this policy and address any gaps in practice or documentation. 

References: 

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). State Operations Manual (SOM), Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long-Term Care Facilities. 

• CMS Requirements of Participation for Nursing Homes.