Database of Nursing Home Problems Can Be Searched On-Line
The independent, non-profit, public interest journalism group ProPublica provides a useful tool on their website for individuals searching for information about nursing homes, helping families identify facilities with a history of problems.
The ProPublica Nursing Home Inspect tool allows searches for nursing home deficiency reports nationwide. The database claims to provide access to information on more than 262,500 deficiencies identified from more 58,000 nursing home inspection reports over the past three years. Users can search by the nursing home’s name and filter by the severity of the deficiencies and by state.
According to a recent summary provided by the group, the 10 most common nursing home violations found in the database include (from most common to least common):
- Accidental Hazards
- Poor Infection Control
- Providing Necessary Care
- Sanitary Food Storage and Preparation
- Lack of Comprehensive Care Plans
- Failure to Meet Professional Standards
- Clinical Record Upkeep
- Screening for Abusive Employees
- Preventing Use of Unnecessary Drugs
- Failure to Treat Residents with Dignity
The states with the highest number of serious deficiencies were Texas, New York, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana in order from highest to lowest.
The states with the least number of serious deficiencies, from lowest to highest, were Nevada, Delaware, and Virginia, which all only had one serious deficiency reported, followed by Massachusetts and South Dakota, which both had only two reported. Texas, by comparison, had 609.
It is an unfortunate realty that nursing homes with prior problems often pose a continuing risk for patients, as the facilities may cut corners to increase profits, improperly train staff or otherwise have a culture that fails to provide residents with the respect and attention they deserve.
For decades nursing homes were largely able to control the information families were able to access before placing their loved one in a facility, but tools like this help individuals make an educated and informed decision.
NURSING HOME NEGLECT LAWYERS
When a nursing home fails to provide the proper level of care for a resident, it can have devastating consequences on the individuals health and quality of life. The nursing home lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential cases for individuals throughout the United States who suspect that an injury may have been caused by problems at the nursing home.
Financial compensation may be available through a nursing home lawsuit in cases of:
- Neglect and Negligent Care
- Bed Sores or Pressure Ulcers
- Dehydration and malnutrition
- Abuse and Assault
- Restraint Injuries and Strangulation
- Falls and Fractures
- Wandering and Leaving the Facility
- Wrongful Death
Potential medical malpractice lawsuits may also arise from nursing home care, including:
All claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees unless a recovery is obtained. Request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
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