Call Bell System Audit - Care Homes

Q1 | Unanswered

Is there a policy in place for the use, monitoring, and maintenance of the call bell system, including expectations for response times?

Q2 | Unanswered

Are all resident bedrooms, bathrooms, and communal areas equipped with accessible and functioning call bell points?

Q3 | Unanswered

Are call bell cords within easy reach of residents, especially in beds, toilets, and chairs?

Q4 | Unanswered

Are residents shown how to use the call bell system upon admission or when their needs change?

Q5 | Unanswered

Are staff aware of their responsibilities in responding to call bells promptly and respectfully?

Q6 | Unanswered

Are response times to call bells monitored, recorded, and reviewed regularly for compliance with internal standards?

Q7 | Unanswered

Is the call bell system tested daily or at defined intervals to ensure full functionality across all zones?

Q8 | Unanswered

Are faulty call bells reported immediately, logged, and repaired within an appropriate timeframe?

Q9 | Unanswered

Is a record kept of all maintenance, faults, and service visits related to the call bell system?

Q10 | Unanswered

Are visual and/or audible indicators (e.g., corridor lights, staff pagers, display screens) working correctly in all areas?

Q11 | Unanswered

Are there alternative systems in place for residents who cannot use standard call bells (e.g., pendant alarms, pressure mats, vocal alerts)?

Q12 | Unanswered

Is there a contingency plan for system failure (e.g., battery backup, temporary alerts, manual checks)?

Q13 | Unanswered

Are staff trained to recognise emergency alerts and respond appropriately, including when assisting in other units or zones?

Q14 | Unanswered

Is the volume of call bell alerts appropriate—not muted or so loud as to cause distress or sensory overload?

Q15 | Unanswered

Are call bells never obstructed, removed, or placed out of reach for reasons of convenience or control?

Q16 | Unanswered

Are patterns of high call bell usage reviewed to identify unmet needs, care planning issues, or staff support gaps?

Q17 | Unanswered

Are residents’ call bell usage reviewed as part of care reviews, especially for those at risk of falls, confusion, or anxiety?

Q18 | Unanswered

Are night-time call bell responses monitored and reviewed separately to ensure safety and dignity during lower staffing hours?

Q19 | Unanswered

Is there a process for logging emergency call-outs (e.g., cardiac events, falls) triggered via call bell or linked systems?

Q20 | Unanswered

Is there a process to ensure agency or new staff are trained on the specific call bell system used in the home?

Q21 | Unanswered

Are staff handovers used to communicate call bell concerns (e.g., faulty units, resident requiring increased monitoring)?

Q22 | Unanswered

Is resident feedback gathered regarding their confidence in the call bell system and perceived response times?

Q23 | Unanswered

Are call bell data and trends discussed in clinical governance or quality meetings to drive improvement?

Q24 | Unanswered

Are any instances of unacknowledged or delayed responses reviewed and investigated for root causes and accountability?

Q25 | Unanswered

Are room-specific call bell alarms logged with timestamps to allow audit of staff response performance?

Q26 | Unanswered

Is the system compliant with fire safety protocols and not dependent on the main power supply alone?

Q27 | Unanswered

Is there a backup communication system in place in case of major technical failure (e.g., walkie-talkies, manual checks)?

Q28 | Unanswered

Are staff reminded regularly not to silence or cancel alarms before attending to residents?

Q29 | Unanswered

Is the system serviced regularly by a certified technician or vendor, and are service records retained for inspection?