Lynch & PineLynch & Pine2024-03-01T16:36:12Zhttps://www.lynchpine.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1101520/2019/06/cropped-site-icon-1-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Lynch & Pinehttps://www.lynchpine.com/?p=510792024-03-01T16:36:12Z2024-03-01T16:36:12Zdangers of understaffing is an increased risk of neglect. With fewer staff members available to attend to the needs of residents, essential tasks such as bathing, feeding and medication management can be delayed or overlooked. This neglect can lead to deteriorating health conditions.
Compromised quality of care
When nursing homes operate with insufficient staff, the quality of care inevitably suffers. Critical aspects of care, such as timely medical treatment, personal hygiene and emotional support, are compromised. Residents may experience delays in receiving medication or assistance with daily living activities, leading to a decline in their overall quality of life. The absence of personalized care and attention can also lead to feelings of isolation and depression among residents.
Increased workload and burnout among staff
Understaffing places a heavy burden on the existing staff, leading to increased workload and stress levels. The demands of managing more residents than they can feasibly care for can result in burnout, reduced job satisfaction and high turnover rates among staff members. This vicious cycle exacerbates the understaffing issue, as the remaining staff are stretched even thinner, and the facility struggles to maintain a stable and experienced workforce.
Reputational consequences
Nursing homes that fail to maintain adequate staffing levels may face legal consequences, including fines and sanctions from regulatory bodies. Reports of understaffing and the resulting adverse outcomes can damage the facility's reputation, making it difficult to attract new residents and quality staff. This can have a long-term impact on the facility's financial viability and ability to provide care.
Families of neglected nursing home residents may pursue legal action, which is meant to help offset the financial damages inspired by the neglect. There are strict time limits for these cases, so it behooves residents and their family members to work with a legal representative who can get their case moving quickly.]]>On Behalf of Lynch & Pinehttps://www.lynchpine.com/?p=510772024-02-01T23:16:11Z2024-02-01T23:16:11ZPerforming a poor review of their medical history
Looking over a patient's medical records is an important part of the prescribing process. Someone's medical records may include information about prior medical experiences they have had and their family history. An adverse reaction to a certain class of drugs or a family history of poor reactions could be an indicator that a doctor should test a patient or prescribe an alternative drug.
Doctors also need to look for contraindications and check what other medications someone currently takes to avoid a scenario in which they end up at unnecessarily elevated risk of a bad reaction. Dangerous drug interactions are an example of a preventable prescribing error.
Over-prescribing medication
Many patients would prefer not to return to their doctor's office every time they need to refill a prescription, and they may have a copay every time they pick up a refill. Doctors sometimes try to meet these patients halfway by providing multiple months of medication at once when possible. Over-prescribing may lead to patients taking too much medication and could also increase the chances of someone using a prescription drug or reselling it on the unregulated market.
Failing to monitor the patient
Doctors should communicate with those starting new medications to check for warning signs of an allergic reaction or other medical issues. They also need to follow up with a patient to make sure they complete their regimen. In cases involving drugs that cause chemical dependence, including pain relievers and steroids, doctors often need to take special steps to slowly reduce someone's dose so that they can come off the medication safely and effectively.
Failures in any of these areas might lead to negative outcomes for patients. Recognizing when a doctor did not follow best practices could help people understand when they may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.]]>On Behalf of Lynch & Pinehttps://www.lynchpine.com/?p=510682024-01-04T18:37:12Z2024-01-04T18:37:12ZFalls in nursing homes
Falls are a common and serious problem in nursing homes. Various factors, including environmental hazards, improper footwear, inadequate staffing or a lack of appropriate mobility aids, can cause them. The consequences of falls can be severe, ranging from minor injuries to fractures or even death. Preventing falls involves staff training, regular risk assessments, proper facility maintenance and individualized care plans for each resident. When such measures are inadequate or ignored completely, falls that occur may be rooted in neglect or negligence.
Wandering and elopement
Wandering refers to a resident moving around a facility without any specific purpose or direction, possibly leading to elopement, where the resident leaves the facility entirely. These incidents are particularly concerning for residents with cognitive impairments, such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Nursing homes are responsible for implementing measures to prevent wandering and elopement, such as installing secure doors, providing adequate supervision and using tracking devices when necessary and appropriate. Failure to take these precautions can result in residents getting lost or injured, which may be considered neglect.
Resident-on-resident violence
Resident-on-resident violence is another significant issue in nursing homes. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, including conflicts between residents, overcrowding and residents with behavioral problems or mental health disorders. Nursing homes must have adequate staffing and trained personnel to manage and prevent such incidents. Staff should be trained in conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques, and there should be clear policies for managing violent or aggressive behavior.
Nursing homes have a duty to keep residents safe. When this doesn’t occur because of negligence or abuse, the victim of an incident may opt to take legal action. This can help them to recover the financial expenses caused by the nursing home’s actions or inactions.]]>On Behalf of Lynch & Pinehttps://www.lynchpine.com/?p=510662023-12-08T12:30:19Z2023-12-08T12:30:19Znursing home negligence. Suppose you have suspicions that a loved one who resides in a nursing home is suffering from neglect; you should know that you have options.
You can start by raising your concerns with a trusted staff member, but if this doesn’t resolve the issue, consider speaking with an experienced attorney. As the family of the affected resident, you may also be eligible for compensation to get justice and hold the facility accountable. In the meantime, you should familiarize yourself with telltale signs of nursing home negligence for future reference.
Bruises, broken bones and burns
When it comes to nursing home care, physical well-being is paramount. Any unexplained bruises, broken bones or burns should raise immediate concerns. Neglect and abuse are unacceptable, and it’s crucial to be vigilant. If your loved one displays signs of physical harm, it’s imperative to investigate the situation to help ensure their safety and well-being.
Personal hygiene issues
Maintaining personal hygiene is a fundamental aspect of proper nursing home care. Any observable lapses in hygiene, such as unkempt appearance, soiled clothing or unclean living spaces, may indicate negligence. You should expect the care facility to uphold your loved one’s dignity and well-being, and any signs of personal hygiene issues should warrant immediate attention and resolution.
New or untreated medical conditions
Another red flag for nursing home negligence is the emergence of new or untreated medical conditions. The facility’s medical staff should be attentive to residents’ health, promptly addressing any health issues that arise. Unattended medical conditions can lead to severe consequences that may compromise your loved one’s quality of life in their golden years.
Significant personality changes
Emotional well-being is just as crucial as physical health. Therefore, if you notice significant personality changes in your loved one, it’s essential to investigate further. Neglect or mistreatment can manifest in behavioral shifts, including withdrawal, anxiety or depression. Open communication with your loved one and the nursing home staff is vital to address and rectify any underlying issues.
Safeguarding the well-being of your loved ones in nursing homes requires constant vigilance. By staying informed, documenting concerns and taking appropriate legal action when necessary, you can play a crucial role in protecting your loved ones from any form of mistreatment. Your proactive approach can significantly impact their quality of life in a nursing home.]]>On Behalf of Lynch & Pinehttps://www.lynchpine.com/?p=510602023-11-09T15:40:24Z2023-11-09T15:40:24Zbedsores.”
What are bedsores?
Bedsores are injuries to someone’s skin and muscle tissue that develop when there’s prolonged pressure or friction on specific parts of that person’s body. Quite often they’re found on the buttocks and lower back, the heels of the patient’s feet, their shoulders and on the back of a patient’s head.
These pressure injuries typically occur when victims are unable to change their position regularly whether that’s due to broad mobility issues or bed confinement. Bedsores develop in stages:
Stage 1: In this stage, the skin is red and may be painful, hot and firm to the touch, but only the topmost layer of the skin (the epidermis) is involved.
Stage 2: The topmost layer of skin may be lost and the wound can resemble a shallow abrasion or open wound. It will be red around the wound and there might be fluid draining.
Stage 3: The damage is much deeper, into the subcutaneous tissue. Fat tissue may be exposed. The wound could be quite painful and be surrounded by dead tissue and leaking fluids.
Stage 4: These involve extensive tissue damage. The area may have become necrotic, and muscles, tendons and bone may be visible.
Pressure ulcers should always be considered a potential sign of neglect – especially when they’ve gone past Stage 1, since that indicates the conditions that cause the sores have been ongoing for a while. Bedsores are nearly entirely preventable with proper care. Staffing shortages frequently cause nursing home aides to neglect their patients’ hygiene needs and they may fail to reposition immobile patients frequently enough to prevent skin breakdowns and infections.
If you suspect that your loved one is suffering from nursing home neglect, seeking legal guidance can help you explore your options. Speaking up and demanding accountability for inadequate care is the only way to prevent things like this from happening and to properly address misconduct that has resulted in suffering.]]>On Behalf of Lynch & Pinehttps://www.lynchpine.com/?p=510572023-10-13T22:26:49Z2023-10-13T22:26:49ZMany doctors only listen for a few seconds
According to research based on information provided by physicians themselves, many licensed medical doctors start jumping ahead to conclusions or interrupting someone after just 11 seconds. Doctors cut their patients off or stop listening after less than a quarter of a minute on average. Either a presumption on their part about what may have caused the issue or the constant pressure to get as many appointments in as possible will prompt a doctor to cut a patient short. They may recommend certain care, but it may not actually resolve the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Only listening for 11 seconds might mean that a doctor only hears two of the eight symptoms that a patient has experienced or that they may not understand the full scope of what the patient wants to convey. They may then end up diagnosing someone with the wrong condition or failing to diagnose them with anything.
Both of those mistakes would likely lead to a delay in treatment and possibly to someone receiving the wrong kind of treatment given their actual diagnosis. Those who cannot seem to get sufficient time with their doctor to communicate about their health issues may end up having a worse medical outcome as a result of this limited access. Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is a way for those affected by overworked and inattentive physicians to recoup any lost wages and medical expenses caused by a diagnostic failure.]]>On Behalf of Lynch & Pinehttps://www.lynchpine.com/?p=510322023-09-10T15:06:52Z2023-09-10T15:06:52ZThere is a nursing shortage
For one thing, there is a shortage of nurses in the United States. More nurses are needed than are actually entering the field. This means that the staff-to-patient ratio can sometimes become very problematic. The events of recent years have only made this nursing shortage worse.
The pay is low
One of the biggest problems is that the pay for nursing home staff is so low. According to one report, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) earn the least and get injured more than other types of nurses. It’s also true that CNAs are the most common types of nurses in these homes. A related issue is simply that the turnover rate is very high. When nurses feel that they are working in a high-stress environment where they are often injured, and they are being paid far less than they would make in other positions, they are likely to move on with their careers. This means that even the workers who are still on staff tend to be relatively inexperienced.
The Baby Boomer generation
Finally, the Baby Boomer generation earned its nickname for a reason. In the postwar era, childbirth briefly ballooned. Individuals born during this era are now becoming elderly and are either seeking care at nursing homes or will be relatively soon. Since their generation itself is disproportionately large, the generations below them don’t have the workforce to provide for all of their needs as the aging population expands.
What are your options?
No matter why your loved one was neglected and/or injured in a nursing home, if you’re navigating the aftermath of an injurious scenario, it’s time to strongly consider seeking legal guidance. You may be able to seek financial compensation and to find a safer setting for your loved one.]]>On Behalf of Lynch & Pinehttps://www.lynchpine.com/?p=510302023-08-07T15:57:34Z2023-08-07T15:57:34ZDo some footwork in advance
You may have limited choices in nursing homes based on your location, your loved one’s condition and needs and the financial issues involved, but you need to look at all of the options very carefully. Don’t pick a nursing home at random simply because it’s closest to your home or on your sibling’s way home from work.
Instead, make an in-person visit to all the nursing facilities on your list and observe the living conditions of the residents. Check to see if the staff seems alert and attentive to patients’ needs and whether the facility is clean and well-maintained. If it’s a Medicare-rated facility, be sure to check Medicare.gov to look at each facility’s rating on staffing, health inspections and the quality of patient experiences.
Remain visible and involved
Once you’ve decided on the right facility, the most important thing you can do to prevent neglect or abuse is to be visible and involved in your loved one’s care. Check in with your loved one regularly, whether that’s by phone or via video chats. This not only helps decrease social isolation for nursing home residents, but it gives them the ability to discuss how they feel about their treatment. In-person visits are also important. If the nursing home staff is conscious that you may drop in without notice at any time, there’s less likelihood that your senior will end up neglected, abused or exploited.
If you do suspect that your loved one’s care is being mismanaged or that they’re the victim of neglect or abuse, speak up. Alert the nursing facility’s management and file a report with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. If your loved one is injured, it may also be time to consider learning more about your legal options.]]>On Behalf of Lynch & Pinehttps://www.lynchpine.com/?p=510162023-07-13T01:12:00Z2023-07-13T01:12:00Zabandoned in their care facilities by staff during a disaster. Some didn’t survive.
Here in Rhode Island, these facilities need to be prepared to care for residents or get them safely to another location if a hurricane, superstorm, blizzard, fire or other emergency occurs. Whether you’re looking for a place for a loved one or they’re already living in a care facility, you should ask about the level of preparedness – and expect answers (backed up by evidence) that can give you well-founded peace of mind.
What is the LTC-MAP?
Rhode Island has something called the Rhode Island Long Term Care Mutual Aid Plan (LTC-MAP). Its purpose is to provide a “course of action and an agreed commitment among participating nursing homes and assisted living residences to assist each other as needed in the time of a disaster.” It includes having pre-designated locations to take residents if evacuation is required and an agreement to share staff, equipment, supplies (including medications) and transportation assistance so that the facilities impacted by a disaster get the help they need.
This program is only meant to supplement emergency services provided by local and state agencies. However, it’s important to find out if your loved one’s facility (or any that you’re considering) participates in the LTC-MAP.
Here are a few additional things to inquire about:
Does the facility have its own disaster preparedness plan? (Ask for a copy.)
How often do you do emergency drills with the staff?
Where can family members call to get information about loved ones in the event of an emergency?
If you’re not satisfied with the answers (or lack of answers) you receive – especially from someplace your loved one is currently living -- you may want to contact the state’s long-term care ombudsman program. Nursing homes and other care facilities that fail to plan for an emergency are likely negligent in other areas as well.
If you have a loved one who has already been harmed due to negligence or abuse suffered in a long-term care facility, it’s important to find out what you can do to seek justice and compensation. Seeking experienced legal guidance is a wise first step.]]>On Behalf of Lynch & Pinehttps://www.lynchpine.com/?p=508312023-06-08T13:36:10Z2023-06-08T13:36:10ZFailing to act
One of the most common forms of obstetric malpractice involves the failure to intervene quickly when something goes wrong. Often, a failure to place or actually review the data from fetal heart rate monitors will contribute to a delay in medical interventions that could cause brain damage and other negative consequences for the unborn child.
Triggering a cascade of unnecessary interventions
Sometimes, the rapid response of medical professionals is the only way to save a woman's life when she hemorrhages during childbirth or save a child when they go into distress during labor. However, often labor progresses on its own without any professional support. Doctors that unnecessarily intervene early in labor can trigger what others call a cascade of interventions that will interfere with the birth process and increase the likelihood of serious injury to the mother and or child.
Failing to adhere to professional standards
Maybe the doctor overseeing the labor believes that there are certain medications not commonly used during labor and delivery that can help the woman speed up the process. Administering those drugs against FDA recommendations despite a warning about their use in pregnant women could constitute medical malpractice. There are also doctors who do things that are obviously negligent, like drinking a cocktail on their meal break. Any care that deviates from best practices or violates current guidelines may open a medical practitioner up to allegations of malpractice.
When the circumstances seem to indicate that the healthcare providers facilitating a live birth made a mistake that led to an injury, it may be time to consider filing a malpractice claim. Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against a medical professional or their employer can help to compensate those harmed by substandard care at a birthing facility.]]>