Many nursing homes are so understaffed they may be endangering the welfare of their patients, according to a new report by federal health officials.
The report, which will be presented to Congress later this month, recommends stricter guidelines that would require thousands of nursing homes to hire more nurses and nurses' aides, The New York Times reported today.
After eight years of research, health officials concluded that understaffing has contributed to increased incidences of severe bedsores, malnutrition, and abnormal weight loss among nursing home patients.
Problems Could Be Prevented?
A high number of those patients end up developing life-threatening infections, dehydration and other problems that could have been prevented had the homes been staffed adequately, the study said.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends new federal standards to guarantee that patients receive a minimum of two hours of care each day from nurses aides, among other things. The study says that 54 percent of nursing homes currently fall below the proposed minimum standard.
The report also recommends that patients receive at least 12 minutes a day of care from registered nurses. Currently, 31 percent of nursing homes do not meet that standard.
Although elderly residents are awarded certain nursing home rights, some facilities, either unknowingly or intentionally, may violate these basic rights. If you suspect your loved one is being abused in a nursing home or otherwise deprived of their nursing home resident rights, such as bed sores, dehydration, malnutrition, infection, under staffing, physical abuse, you should immediately contact us toll free at 1.866.999.9085 or on-line at www.thepecklawgroup.com for a free thorough case review and evaluation. This case review is being offered at no cost and shall help determine whether you should take legal action on behalf of your elder / dependent adult loved one. We Will Help You!!
