Nursing home abuse and neglect is known to be linked to the the amount of care provided. Lower levels of care are linked to a greater incidence of nursing home abuse, neglect, injury and even death. A newly released study has revealed that many nursing home patients are not receiving the level and amount of care that their families believe they are receiving.
The Center for Public Integrity, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization in Washington D.C. conducted an independent investigation. The results of this investigation are disturbing. Discrepancies were found between actual staffing levels and the staffing levels reported by thousands of nursing homes to the Nursing Home Compare website. Many families use this website when choosing a nursing home facility for their loved one. While discrepancies were found for all positions, the greatest discrepancies occurred in the reporting of registered nursing staff – the most critical in terms of patient care. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the amount of care provided by nursing staff and particularly care by registered nurses, has a direct correlation to a resident’s quality of care.
The director of public policy for the advocacy group, the National Consumer Voice, described the findings of the Center for Public Integrity as “shocking.” Director Robyn Grant said “We all recognize the data is flawed, but I am truly stunned by (the) findings and appallaed that you’re finding this level of over-reporting.”
Thirty-three states and Washington D.C. have daily direct care staffing requirements. However, in 2012, more than 700 nursing home facilities had daily direct care levels that were lower than the level required by state law.
Many families who diligently research nursing home facilities in order to select a high quality, well staffed facility for their family member, learn too late that the nursing home was, in fact, understaffed.
The Ohio Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect attorneys at Clark, Perdue & List have represented numerous individuals who have suffered injury from abuse and/or neglect. If you or a loved one has been injured in a nursing home and you believe that the injury resulted from abuse or neglect, contact Clark, Perdue & List.