Nursing Home Problems More Common at For-Profit Facilities
According to a recent government report, residents at nursing homes owned by for-profit companies could be at greater risk of nursing home neglect and abuse injuries. In each of the past three years, 94% of for-profit-nursing homes were cited by inspectors for deficiencies, compared with only 88% of non-profit nursing homes.
All nursing homes that receive reimbursement from Medicare or Medicaid are required to be inspected by government officials at least once a year. There are currently about 16,000 nursing homes in the United States, and about 27% are non-profit.
While citations in nursing home investigations can be issued for a variety of reasons, many are designed to act as warning signs of nursing home problems, which could increase the risk of abuse, neglect, bedsores, dehydration, malnutrition and other nursing home injuries.
A report released this week by the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Service indicates that the deficiency rates at nursing homes throughout the United States have not changed much in the past three years, with for-profit nursing homes consistently receiving more citations.
Earlier reports have also substantiated that residents often receive superior care and quality of life at non-profit facilities, which are not owned by companies who have a motivation to increase profits and could put their business interests before the interests of residents.
According to a 2006 study by Consumer reports, non-profit nursing homes were found to provide better care than those operated for a profit. The report found that only 2% of for-profit facilities provided what they considered “good” nursing home care.
NURSING HOME LAWYERS
The nursing home lawyers at Saiontz, Kirk & Miles, P.A. investigate potential cases for neglect and abuse throughout the United States. When homes are found to have a high rate of deficiencies, they are also often found to have faced more nursing home lawsuits from residents who were injured or killed by negligent nursing care.
If you, a friend or family member have been injured as a result of nursing home negligence, request a free consultation and case evaluation.
