Call Bell System Audit - Care Homes
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- Q1: Is there a policy in place for the use, monitoring, and maintenance of the call bell system, including expectations for response times?
- Q2: Are all resident bedrooms, bathrooms, and communal areas equipped with accessible and functioning call bell points?
- Q3: Are call bell cords within easy reach of residents, especially in beds, toilets, and chairs?
- Q4: Are residents shown how to use the call bell system upon admission or when their needs change?
- Q5: Are staff aware of their responsibilities in responding to call bells promptly and respectfully?
- Q6: Are response times to call bells monitored, recorded, and reviewed regularly for compliance with internal standards?
- Q7: Is the call bell system tested daily or at defined intervals to ensure full functionality across all zones?
- Q8: Are faulty call bells reported immediately, logged, and repaired within an appropriate timeframe?
- Q9: Is a record kept of all maintenance, faults, and service visits related to the call bell system?
- Q10: Are visual and/or audible indicators (e.g., corridor lights, staff pagers, display screens) working correctly in all areas?
- Q11: Are there alternative systems in place for residents who cannot use standard call bells (e.g., pendant alarms, pressure mats, vocal alerts)?
- Q12: Is there a contingency plan for system failure (e.g., battery backup, temporary alerts, manual checks)?
- Q13: Are staff trained to recognise emergency alerts and respond appropriately, including when assisting in other units or zones?
- Q14: Is the volume of call bell alerts appropriate—not muted or so loud as to cause distress or sensory overload?
- Q15: Are call bells never obstructed, removed, or placed out of reach for reasons of convenience or control?
- Q16: Are patterns of high call bell usage reviewed to identify unmet needs, care planning issues, or staff support gaps?
- Q17: Are residents’ call bell usage reviewed as part of care reviews, especially for those at risk of falls, confusion, or anxiety?
- Q18: Are night-time call bell responses monitored and reviewed separately to ensure safety and dignity during lower staffing hours?
- Q19: Is there a process for logging emergency call-outs (e.g., cardiac events, falls) triggered via call bell or linked systems?
- Q20: Is there a process to ensure agency or new staff are trained on the specific call bell system used in the home?
- Q21: Are staff handovers used to communicate call bell concerns (e.g., faulty units, resident requiring increased monitoring)?
- Q22: Is resident feedback gathered regarding their confidence in the call bell system and perceived response times?
- Q23: Are call bell data and trends discussed in clinical governance or quality meetings to drive improvement?
- Q24: Are any instances of unacknowledged or delayed responses reviewed and investigated for root causes and accountability?
- Q25: Are room-specific call bell alarms logged with timestamps to allow audit of staff response performance?
- Q26: Is the system compliant with fire safety protocols and not dependent on the main power supply alone?
- Q27: Is there a backup communication system in place in case of major technical failure (e.g., walkie-talkies, manual checks)?
- Q28: Are staff reminded regularly not to silence or cancel alarms before attending to residents?
- Q29: Is the system serviced regularly by a certified technician or vendor, and are service records retained for inspection?