Nursing homes are responsible for the safety and health of numerous patients, all of whom deserve quality care and attention. However, a nursing facility cannot fulfill this responsibility if there are too many residents and not enough staff members. It’s an unfortunate reality that many nursing homes in Columbia, SC and elsewhere are understaffed. This increases the risk of neglect and patient harm. If you or your loved one has suffered because of understaffing in nursing homes, then it’s time to speak with Rikard & Protopapas.
Understanding Understaffing in Nursing Homes
Taking care of residents is the number one priority of any nursing home or other retirement facility. Some patients have more pressing needs than others and require more focused and personalized attention. Others have medical issues but may be more independent than their fellow residents. Regardless, it is impossible to ensure residents’ health, safety, and overall well-being if there are not enough staff members.
Insufficient staff can also have detrimental effects on the mental, emotional, and psychological health of patients. These residents may end up feeling alone and isolated, which can exacerbate mental health issues (e.g., depression and anxiety) that, in turn, cause other health problems. Families trust that their loved ones will be cared for because they believe enough staff will be on hand to handle routine and emergency conditions.
However, surveys have shown that over 90% of care providers believe they don’t have enough staff to help them do the job. Meanwhile, over 80% of assisted living communities report understaffing. The reasons for these extreme percentages vary, but are often attributed to:
- Shortage of qualified nurses, especially in smaller or less desirable areas
- Not enough pay, which causes attrition in the nursing staff workforce
- Burnout from the stress of the job (and from understaffing itself)
- Budget cuts and a desire to increase profits
Impact of Understaffing on Resident Care
If there are not enough nurses and other staff member to care for patients, the overall quality of resident care is going to drastically decrease in many ways:
- Inability to address urgent needs: Understaffing means that the patients who need the most attention likely will not receive it. Not only will routine and ongoing conditions go unaddressed, but there’s a chance that emergencies will also be mishandled.
- Increases the risk of deliberate neglect: Well-meaning nurses and staff members can only do so much with limited personnel. However, there are also situations in which staff deliberately neglect their residents.
- Could cause staff members to actively abuse patients: Stress, frustration, and long hours are a direct result of understaffing. These effects can take their toll and cause some staff members to lash out and deliberately harm residents.
- Worsening conditions and death: As medical, mental health, and other conditions are not properly met because of understaffing, they will get worse and cause patients to decline. In many instances, this can lead to death.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Neglect Due to Understaffing
It’s important for family members to regularly visit their loved ones residing in nursing homes so they can determine whether they are being taken care of. When you visit your parent or family member, be aware of these common signs of neglect caused by understaffing in nursing homes:
- Unreasonably delayed response times: Nursing homes can be busy places, so it’s not unusual for staff to experience some delays in responding to patients. Excessive and constant delays, however—especially when they harm the resident—are a strong indicator of understaffing.
- Personal hygiene issues: Nursing home staff are responsible for maintaining their residents’ hygiene. But when patients experience noticeable declines in their hygiene, such as being allowed to soil themselves or go without bathing, there may potentially be a staffing problem.
- Lack of patient activity: Many patients rely on staff members to help them with their daily routines, from getting out of bed to participating in social events. Understaffing can lead to patients languishing and being isolated, which can cause further problems.
- Signs of stress: It’s not too difficult to notice when someone is stressed, but no family member wants to see frustration or anxiety exhibited by nursing home staff. If the staff members appear rushed or overwhelmed, it’s probably due to insufficient help.
- Changes in health and demeanor: Declining patient health can occur for many reasons, but understaffing can aggravate it. Another sign of nursing home neglect caused by understaffing is that residents are more anxious and depressed, and undergo behavioral changes.
Steps to Take If You Suspect Neglect Due to Understaffing
Nursing home understaffing is not something to be taken lightly. It can cause serious, irreversible, and even fatal consequences for your loved one. If you believe the facility is insufficiently staffed, we suggest you speak immediately to a nursing home neglect attorney.
Your attorney can assist with:
- Collecting evidence: Making a case for nursing home neglect requires evidence, and this can come in the form of personnel records, staff plans, and statements from staff members and residents. It may also consist of medical bills that patients incur because they’ve suffered in an understaffed facility.
- Exploring legal options: If your loved one has suffered injury from nursing home abuse or neglect and has medical bills as a result, you need to determine how to compel the facility to pay for them. We will discuss all available legal options and how to seek monetary damages.
- Pursuing the best legal option: Once you decide which avenue is best, for instance filing a lawsuit against the owner of the nursing home, we will represent you and your loved one from start to finish. This includes attempts to negotiate and mediate for an out-of-court settlement, if possible.
Contact Our Columbia, SC Nursing Home Neglect Attorney
We work to secure the maximum amount of damages for nursing home patients who have been abused or neglected due to understaffing. By reaching out to us, you may also save the lives and health of other residents who are being harmed because of the facility’s staffing problems.
To get started on your legal case or to learn more, connect today with Rikard & Protopapas.