Up to 40 percent of the nursing home residents who seek emergency-room treatment have injuries that could have been prevented, according to a recently-released study from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
The 2010 study, which analyzes data from the National Nursing Home survey completed in 2004, found that approximately eight percent of nursing homes have taken a resident to an emergency room within the past 90 days. Of these visits, up to 40 percent were for conditions that the nursing home staff could likely have prevented, according to NCHS. Common preventable conditions included bruises or fractures from falls, skin conditions, gastrointestinal complaints, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. Of these, injuries due to falls were the number-one reason for an ER visit that could have been prevented.
Approximately 110 million Americans currently live in nursing homes. Many have medical conditions that require special care or are recovering from an injury, illness, or surgery. Most take at least one medication, and many take several different medications each day. Many need help with basic life activities, like bathing, dressing, and eating. Since the purpose of nursing homes is to provide the extra care that a person can no longer reasonably receive at home, it’s important for nursing home staff to be well-trained and ready to handle a wide range of medical issues, including prevention of injury and illness.
If you or someone you love has suffered abuse or neglect while in a nursing home, contact the experienced nursing home abuse attorneys in Chattanooga at Massey & Associates, P.C. We will examine your case carefully and help you fight for the compensation you need from negligent parties. To learn more, call Massey & Associates, P.C. today at (423) 396-0720.
Gary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.