Prevalence and nature of call light requests on an orthopaedic unit

Response to call lights is an importance indication of patient satisfaction. At St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, follow-up satisfaction surveys ask patients if the nurses were prompt in responding to their needs, i.e., response to patient call lights. Satisfaction scores for the orthopaedic unit indicated dissatisfaction with response to call lights. This data was used to adjust staffing patterns and develop a job description for a new category of nursing staff, the Unit Assistant.