Nursing home staffing is directly related to quality of care
In most nursing home lawsuits, understaffing is a significant contributing factor in the neglect or abuse. A recent study by the Columbia University School of Nursing seems to confirm this, drawing a direct connection between nurse staffing levels and the quality of care received by elderly.
>>INFORMATION: Nursing Home Neglect
The study, which was published in the June issue of the journal Medical Care, concludes that improving the working conditions for nurses will reduce the risk of injury for elderly patients who rely on their care. The researchers reviewed outcomes for over 15,000 patients in hospital elderly intensive care units (ICUs). With higher nurse staffing levels, patients suffered less infections and skin ulcers (also known as bed sores).
The nursing home lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. review potential claims for abuse and neglect nationwide. Often, facilities do not employ enough nurses, and the ones who are employed are under trained and over worked. Because of this shortcoming, many patients are abused by frustrated staff, become dehydrated, suffer bedsores and infections, or fall due to a lack of supervision.
>INFORMATION: Nursing home staffing problems
Nursing home injuries — specifically those linked to neglect caused by a lack of qualified nurses — are a rising problem. It is one of the most atrocious problems in our country, since many serious and potentially fatal problems could have been prevented with proper nursing home staffing levels.
If your loved one has suffered an injury which was caused by nursing home neglect from understaffing, compensation may be available. Request a free lawsuit evaluation.
