Ultimately, nursing homes are businesses. This means that they need to be profitable for shareholders. Nonetheless, nursing homes are businesses that owe a legal duty of care to residents. Therefore, a balance always needs to be struck between being profitable and providing high levels of care.
One common issue seen in nursing homes is understaffing. This can occur for many reasons, but it’s often a cost-cutting measure. In terms of care, what are some of the main consequences of understaffing in nursing homes?
Residents aren’t moved often enough
One of the most common health issues seen among nursing home residents is bed sores. These are caused by sustained pressure and loss of blood flow to certain areas of the body. They are frequently seen among people who have limited mobility.
One effective way to prevent and address bedsores is to turn individuals on a frequent basis, usually every few hours at least. This takes care and due attention. Without the appropriate staffing levels, nursing homes are simply unable to do this, and bed sores become a much higher risk.
Emergency calls go unanswered
Nursing home residents can be susceptible to accidents, especially slips and falls. Most nursing homes are fitted with emergency alarm systems. These can be cords that are pulled should a fall occur. The response times of nursing home personnel are critical in these situations, and it can mean the difference between life and death. A nursing home that is understaffed may not be able to answer these emergency calls in time.
If your family member has been injured in a nursing home institution, it’s important to find out why it happened. Seeking legal guidance can help you get to the bottom of the situation and seek compensation for any negligence.
