Quality of Care In A Nursing Home

Written by Adam Peck Category: Bed Sores June 17th, 2015 3 min read

QUALITY OF CARE IN A NURSING HOME

Quality of care in a nursing home for a loved one may soon get a bit easier for Canadians. The United States and California also has a data base for use by perspective nursing home users. http://www.medicare.gov/NursingHomeCompare/Resources/Downloadable-Database.html and http://hfcis.cdph.ca.gov/servicesAndFacilities.aspx

A searchable national database that provides information on hospitals has been expanded to include comparative data on about 1,000 nursing homes.

The database is run by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

Users can see how many falls were recorded at individual facilities and which ones seem to do a better job treating pressure ulcers or bed sores. You can also see data on long-term pain management, and which homes may be using anti-psychotic drugs inappropriately to control residents who are not psychotic.

The material is available only for facilities with 24-hour nursing care and does not include assisted living centers.

QUALITY OF CARE ISSUES

Quality of Care Issues are very important to perspective nursing home patients and their immediate family and loved ones. Certainly, it is the up most importance to ascertain whether a particular facility has a poor record on quality of care issues. The Public needs reliable information as to whether a nursing home has a history of Bed Sores, Pressure Ulcers aka Decubitus Ulcers, Multiple Falls, Malnutrition, Dehydration, Over Medication and Elopement / Wandering, etc… so as to be able to make an educated determination to put themselves or a loved one in a particular facility. Most of these issues transpire because of neglect.“Neglect” under California Welfare & Institutions Code Section 15610.57 is defined as follows:

NEGLECT

(a) “Neglect” means either of the following:
(1) The negligent failure of any person having the care or custody of an elder or a dependent adult to exercise that degree of care that a reasonable person in a like position would exercise. (2) The negligent failure of an elder or dependent adult to exercise that degree of self care that a reasonable person in a like position would exercise.

(b) Neglect includes, but is not limited to, all of the following: (1) Failure to assist in personal hygiene, or in the provision of food, clothing, or shelter. (2) Failure to provide medical care for physical and mental health needs. No person shall be deemed neglected or abused for the sole reason that he or she voluntarily relies on treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in lieu of medical treatment. (3) Failure to protect from health and safety hazards. (4) Failure to prevent malnutrition or dehydration. (5) Failure of an elder or dependent adult to satisfy the needs specified in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, for himself or herself as a result of poor cognitive functioning, mental limitation, substance abuse, or chronic poor health.

It is important that we all watch and make very educated informed decisions before we put our loved ones in a particular nursing home / skilled nursing and / or assisted living facility.

Share it

Questions? Check with Peck Today

Blog Lead Form

Elder Abuse and Neglect in Assisted Living Facilities

Elopement in Nursing Homes

Assisted Living Abuse

Settlement Reached in Assisted Living Facility Death

Assisted Living Abuse and Neglect Attorneys

Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.