Many nursing homes operate on a for-profit basis. Their main objective is to make money. Given that many nursing homes accept Medicaid benefits, controlling costs is a key component of securing profit while providing nursing home services. Taking as many residents as the facility can safely accommodate is a common practice.
Many facilities are full to capacity and have waiting lists. Nursing homes also often only keep the minimum number of employees required to comply with the law on staff. Intentional understaffing helps keep care costs low but can put residents in a dangerous situation.
Preventable falls
Providing physical support for nursing home residents is a common job responsibility. Workers help residents get out of bed, shower safely and dress themselves. When there aren’t enough workers on hand to provide those services, residents may grow tired of waiting. Those who try to go to the bathroom without assistance or handle other basic tasks can suffer falls that result in serious injuries.
Severe bedsores
Bedsores or pressure ulcers develop when people spend too much time lying or reclining in the same position. Nursing home residents who spend their day in bed or in a chair can develop bedsores at the points where their bodies contact the furniture. When workers regularly help residents move, rotate them or reposition cushions, they can prevent bedsores from forming. Regular physical inspections can also identify early-stage bedsores so that they don’t worsen or become infected. Understaffed nursing homes may not be able to prevent or properly treat bedsores.
Medication errors
Residents in nursing homes frequently do not administer their own medical treatment. Workers dispense pills, check their blood sugar and otherwise oversee their healthcare needs. Understaffing at nursing homes may mean that workers don’t always complete their rounds on time. Delayed drug administration can undercut the efficacy of treatment. Overworked, stressed-out employees could also potentially make mistakes when administering medications. They might hand out the wrong drug or give patients the wrong dose. Such mistakes can have catastrophic consequences.
In scenarios where nursing home residents suffer major medical issues caused by understaffing or worker negligence, there may be a strong reason to take legal action. Filing a nursing home negligence lawsuit can potentially help to cover medical expenses for the affected individual. Families who take action can also potentially help improve the standard of care at the facility for their loved ones and others in the same nursing home.
