The American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordination conducted a survey of nursing home nurses, and the results were not good for nursing home residents.
Nursing homes are obligated to conduct regular assessments of every nursing home residents. These are important. These assessments look for long and short term trends in the health of nursing home residents like weight loss, mental status, and mobility.
These are conditions that can directly and indirectly lead to serious health risks. Unexpected and unnecessary weight loss can be a sign of malnutrition or dehydration. These can lead to nursing home falls that can result in life threatening injuries. The loss of mobility and the constant pressure that spending hour after hour in a wheelchair or bed creates is one of the key factors in the development of bed sores and pressure ulcers.
The Association’s President and CEO told McKnights that the “tension between the time needed to accurately assess a resident is often in conflict with other responsibilities and time spent in meetings.”
A proper assessment can take an average of five hours, but assessment coordinators indicated that they spend up to half their time doing other work. When nursing home assessments are not performed regularly, injuries are sure to follow.
If you have a resident who has been injured in a Chicago nursing home, contact the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle for a free and confidential evaluation of your case. At my law offices we have the experience and expertise to manage all aspects of your nursing home neglect lawsuit, and we welcome the opportunity to speak to you.