How Do Staffing Shortages Result in Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing homes in Florida, and throughout the country, have been battling staffing shortages for decades. The problem became particularly prevalent after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. According to one study, 94 percent of nursing homes faced staffing shortages in 2021 and the problem continues today. Understaffing is one of the main causes of nursing home neglect in Florida. Below, our Tampa nursing home neglect attorney outlines how staffing shortages result in residents suffering harm.
Reduced Response Times
Staffing shortages result in reduced response times when there are emergencies and other urgent events. Staff members may not realize that a resident requires immediate assistance, or there may not be enough members on staff to handle multiple emergencies at once. Reduced response times can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities when a resident is choking, falling, or suffering from another serious issue.
Dehydration and Malnutrition
Proper nutrition is essential for everyone, but this is particularly true for seniors in nursing homes. Residents often need their meals to be customized for their specific medical conditions. Seniors should also be given the opportunity to eat and drink at appropriate intervals. When a nursing home is understaffed, there may not be enough staff members to ensure residents are receiving proper nutrition and hydration. There also may not be enough members on staff to assist the residents who require help eating and drinking.
Falling Accidents
When a nursing home is understaffed, residents are more likely to fall and suffer serious injuries. Residents may need help getting out of a bed or wheelchair and when a staff member does not arrive in time, this may result in the resident trying to get up on their own and falling. Additionally, a fall can also occur when a staff member is trying to move a resident on their own and the task requires two or more people.
Bed Sores
Pressure ulcers, more commonly referred to as bed sores, can develop very quickly. In fact, when certain conditions are present, bed sores can form in just a few hours. Nursing home residents are particularly susceptible to bed sores because their skin is so fragile. When a nursing home does not have enough staff members, residents may remain in one position too long, which allows bed sores to develop. Insufficient staffing levels can also result in bed sores becoming worse.
Medication Errors
Workers in nursing homes must act more quickly when there are not enough staff members in a facility. Staff members may not double-check information or proofread medications carefully. It is easier to make medication errors when there are not enough staff members such as giving a resident the wrong dosage or administering medication to the wrong resident. Medication errors can cause very serious injuries and can even be fatal.
Our Nursing Home Neglect Attorney in Tampa Can Help
Understaffing is often the underlying cause of nursing home neglect. At Kohn Law, our Tampa nursing home neglect attorney can investigate any instance of abuse or neglect to determine the cause and hold the facility accountable. Call us today at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/Survey-94-Percent-of-Nursing-Homes-Face-Staffing-Shortages.aspx
