According to Statista, the United States had over 15,000 nursing facilities in 2019, with about two-thirds of them being for business or profit. In the same year, there were 105 nursing home beds per 1,000 persons during that year. Every year, the number of people living in nursing homes is predicted to rise, and violations of nursing home abuse and neglect are also on the rise.
According to the World Health Organization (2021), 1 out of every 6 people aged 60 and up has experienced some form of abuse in the community in the previous year, and rates of elder abuse are high in institutions such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities, with 2 out of every three staff members admitting to committing nursing home abuse in the previous year. In addition, many other violations are common in nursing homes around the nation.
Health inspections, staffing, and quality measures are all used to grade facilities across the country. The following are some of the most prevalent nursing home fines and violations.
Understaffing
Understaffing has the greatest impact on the quality of care provided by nursing homes. A low staff count can lead to poor senior care, as they may not receive their prescription, food, or restroom break on time.
According to NCBI, there is a need for increased nurse staffing and standards for U.S. nursing homes. Many nursing facilities in the United States have major quality issues, in part due to insufficient nurse staffing.
Failed Nursing Home Inspections
CMS inspections of nursing homes can take place at any moment and without notice. In addition, state regulatory authorities may perform nursing home inspections and report their findings to CMS.
Nursing home inspections look into the following five important areas:
- Administrative matters and staffing
- Rights of residents
- Resident care and services
- Dietary procedures
- Resident environment
Nurses not meeting fundamental health obligations on behalf of residents, such as taking adequate precautions to prevent pressure ulcers from growing or worsening, are common violations. Patients should be given the correct medication at the correct doses, and drugs should be labeled, locked, and separated properly.
Failure to Follow Care Plans and Monitor
When a nursing home staff fails to implement care plans and monitor residents, it is one of the leading causes of nursing home injuries.
Even when nurses and other nursing home employees are well-intentioned and genuinely concerned about the safety of residents, business decisions that result in staffing reduction or reduced training periods may undermine their efforts. As a result, patients are not being properly supervised, which can lead to nursing home common injuries:
- Falls
- Bedsores
- Medication overdoses
- Wandering mishaps
- Physical abuse by other residents or staff members
How Gallon Law Can Help With Nursing Home Abuse Cases
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world, and not all long-term care facilities treat every senior citizen with the care and respect they deserve. The elderly who fall victim to abuse inside nursing homes will carry the emotional and physical scars with them for the rest of their lives.
However, you can take the first step towards giving them their lives back by working with a skilled and experienced nursing home abuse lawyer. If you’re planning to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit, get in touch with us.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Co., LPA, we work hard to help your loved ones get the justice and care they deserve. Contact us today.
Jonathan Ashton, Partner and Personal Injury Attorney, began his law career at GT&B in 2007 as a law clerk. He was hired as an associate immediately after passing the Ohio Bar in 2008. Jonathan practices in Personal Injury, representing clients who have been injured and need justice and compensation for them to move forward in their lives.
