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Failing to evaluate residents can be a form of nursing home neglect

On Behalf of | Jun 24, 2024 | Nursing Home Negligence |

Some types of nursing home negligence are obvious. If a facility improperly sanitizes its spaces and tools, residents could develop preventable infections or food-borne illnesses. The failure to provide consistent support to older adults might lead to preventable falls and injuries.

Mistakes when administering medication, possibly caused by distraction or burnout, are also common types of negligence that people readily acknowledge. Failing to check on residents and track their medical conditions could also constitute negligence. Nursing home negligence can involve a variety of different professional failures. For example, a failure to properly evaluate and occasionally reevaluate someone’s support needs can be a concerning form of negligence in a nursing home setting.

What evaluations should nursing homes perform?

There are several types of evaluations that are important for the well-being of nursing home residents. A fall risk evaluation is perhaps the best known. Workers at a nursing home have to look at the medical records and abilities of an incoming resident to determine how likely they are to get hurt by falling.

Elopement risk assessment is also important. Some nursing home residents wander off from a facility. They may do so due to confusion or out of frustration because they wish to live independently. Cognitive evaluations can help identify residents with declining health and ensure they get the support they need for safety and comfort

Nursing homes should perform these important evaluations not just when someone first moves in but also routinely during their time there. Reevaluating residents once or twice a year is necessary to ensure that they receive proper support consistently. Reevaluations may also need to occur on a case-by-case basis after an injury or change in a resident’s overall condition.

Unfortunately, nursing homes may rush through the evaluation process or may fail to update an assessment after performing the initial review of a patient’s abilities and risks. Discovering that a loved one has fallen and suffered major injuries could raise questions about negligent care standards. The same is true in scenarios where residents wander off from the facility and may suffer injuries or illnesses as a result.

Learning about current standards and best practices can help families better identify the warning signs of nursing home neglect. If neglect harms an older adult, taking legal action can potentially offset the expenses generated by poor care standards.

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