Common Fines and Violations Nursing Homes Face
Though all of us would like to continue living at home, this is not always possible throughout our golden years. Health issues and problems such as limited mobility mean many individuals will need to move into nursing homes to receive their care. Though most nursing homes provide quality care to their residents, neglect and abuse are still far too rampant at facilities across the nation.
However, sometimes it is not too easy to detect problems within nursing homes. Taking a look at some of the common fines and violations nursing homes face can give us a better idea of the state of the facilities in our country today. Meanwhile, knowing what to look out for if you have a loved one in a nursing home can help you know when it is time to call a bedsore attorney in Nassau County, the Bronx, or in your area.
Problems With Understaffing
Among the more common violations nursing homes face is being understaffed. Nursing homes may try to save money and cut corners by limiting the number of employees they hire. This can lead to numerous problems, the most common among them being neglect. When there are a limited number of nursing home employees available to care for upwards of 100 residents, it becomes almost impossible to take care of tasks such as basic hygiene and moving individuals with the regularity needed to keep these individuals safe.
Having fewer staff on hand can also lead to issues with medications being dispensed, food being delivered at the proper time, and even with symptoms of illness not being identified, all of which have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of nursing home residents. Any individual who notices their loved one experiencing signs of neglect and who believes the facility their loved one is in seems understaffed can contact a bedsore attorney in The Bronx, NY or in their area to determine the next steps to take to get help.
Failed Health Inspections
The teams at nursing homes may not typically be physicians, but they still play a critical role in the health of their residents. This is why these facilities must undergo regular health inspections, and is also why failing these inspections can lead to numerous fines and violations. Meeting all health requirements for residents is vital, especially given the often fragile nature of their residents’ health.
For example, it is of utmost importance for staff in nursing homes to ensure they are giving residents all of their medications, to be certain they are giving them the correct medications, and to give residents their medications at the correct time every day. It is also important for sensitive items such as medications to be locked away and kept separate from one another to prevent any possible issues from arising.
If your loved one is in a nursing home and you have noticed any issues you believe need to be addressed, contacting a bedsore lawyer can be a vital step in determining whether you have a case.