Question Unexpected Outcomes
Has a loved one suffered an injury or death in a Nursing Home?
February 19, 2024
A nursing home may not be what you traditionally think of. Nowadays, many nursing homes cater to those individuals coming out of the hospital needing additional hospital days or “rehabilitation” before returning home. Some nursing homes even go as far as euphemistically calling themselves “rehabilitation centers.” This name change reflects the shift in marketing and business tactics by nursing homes. There is now a cottage industry of nursing homes accepting post-hospital or post-surgical patients for 21 to 30 day stays (which sometimes are extended to around 100 days). The goal is “rehabilitation” or a “return to health,” and to send the resident home. During that time period, however, if there is poor care, many different negative outcomes may occur.
Some of these unexpected negative outcomes may include:
- Bedsores or pressure sores (open wounds, where you can see flesh or bone)
- Dehydration
- Unexplained fall or injuries (such as broken bones or bruising)
- Injuries or death from a fall
- Multiple falls (high fall risk)
- Not transporting resident to hospital timely after condition discovered - a change in condition - (or failure to discover change in condition timely enough)
- Problems with tube feedings
- Excessive constipation
- Leaking catheter
- Excessive weight loss
- Soiled or wet diapers, clothes or linens not changed timely or at all
- Medication errors (not receiving medication, receiving the wrong medication, or receiving too much medication)
These injuries, however, are not limited to a short-term, rehabilitation residency. Even if you have a loved one who is a long-term resident, these types of injuries are equally unacceptable, and often, are a result of negligent or wanton care. Also, often, the residents that are most often injured in these or other ways are: (a) those that need full assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, going to the restroom, grooming, walking, etc.; (b) those suffering from Alzheimers or dementia; or (c) those suffering from an inability to communicate verbally. If your loved one falls into any of those three categories, they are likely at a higher risk of suffering an injury or death at a nursing home due to poor care.
Sometimes the poor care is a direct result of low staffing levels. According to the Associated Press, “[t]he federal government will, for the first time, dictate staffing levels at nursing homes.” President Biden said of the regulation in USA Today, “[w]e are working to make sure no nursing home can sacrifice the safety of its residents just to add some dollars to its bottom line.”
If you feel your loved one was neglected by a nursing home or assisted living facility, including, but not limited to them experiencing any of the injuries listed above or any others, please contact us for a free case evaluation. Please click here to access our “Free Case Evaluation” form, and we will be in touch with you within 24 hours of your case submission. Or, feel free to text us at (205) 651-5808 or call us at (205) 259-1678.
Photo Courtesy of:
The Associated Press
https://apnews.com/article/biden-nursing-home-staffing-ebd1aad4a8bb13f892b930cae2f3f1cd
Staffing quotes courtesy of:
The Associated Press
https://apnews.com/article/biden-nursing-home-staffing-ebd1aad4a8bb13f892b930cae2f3f1cd