Sad news out of Concord, North Carolina last week: a nursing home resident suffering from Alzheimer's disease wandered off a loading dock at the nursing home and later died. An investigation of the incident revealed that the nursing home staff was aware that the resident was a "wanderer," and staff were under strict orders to check on her every 15 minutes. The nursing home staff members failed to monitor the resident, which allowed the resident enough time to wander, unnoticed, through several doors, through the kitchen, outside the home, and off the 4-foot loading dock.
State health officials recommended the maximum $50,000 fine against the nursing home because the loading dock was not equipped with adequate safeguards to prevent the fall. The nursing home has since installed an alarm and fence around the loading dock.
This tragic incident underscores the need for loved ones of potential nursing home residents to do their homework before choosing a nursing home. Carefully inspect the nursing home premises for dangerous conditions that could cause harm to residents. Ask to interview staff members about why they work in the nursing home industry and how long they have been working at this particular nursing home. And lastly, check how the nursing home stacks up on Medicare's 5-star rating system. Not surprisingly, the home where this incident occurred earned the lowest possible rating -- 1 star.
Access the 5-Star Rating System Here
www.EndElderAbuse.com
1-888-LAW-3010
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
High Staff Turnover Affects Care - Rural Homes May Be Better
In my December 19, 2008 post, I discussed CMS's new 5-star rating system for nursing homes. In a Kansas City Star article published today ("KC Area Facilities Get Low Scores," January 4, 2008, p. B1) journalist Alan Bavley observes that nursing homes with high staff turnover are generally rated lower on the 5-star scale than those facilities with lower staff turnover stats. Be sure to compare staff turnover rates of nursing homes you are considering for a loved one.
The article also notes that nursing homes in urban areas have a harder time retaining quality staff than do rural nursing homes. And rural nursing homes usually provide a more personal touch. Consequently, it may be advisable to look into rural nursing home options for your loved one. While choosing a rural nursing home may result in a longer drive for visits, it's certainly worth this minor inconvenience to ensure quality care.
Excerpts for the Kansas City Star article:
A possible reason for the relatively low ratings in the Kansas City region could be the stiff competition for health care personnel and the difficulty urban facilities face retaining staff, said federal and state officials who inspect nursing homes.
“There’s just such shortages of nurses. In rural areas, there’s no place else to go to work, there aren’t other options,” said Jennifer King of the Kansas City regional office of the CMS.
“In urban areas, there’s turnover and not enough staff, and that leads to not enough continuity of care,” King said. “Ultimately, it even affects health inspections.”
Most of the five-star nursing homes in Missouri and Kansas are in small towns, places like Lindsborg, Kan., and Malden, Mo.
Lower staff turnover may not be the only reason for frequent five-star ratings of small-town nursing homes. Care also may be more personal there, officials say.
“If you live in a small town and work in a nursing home, you may be taking care of your own relatives or the relatives of your friends,” said Tracy Niekamp, program manager for nursing home licensure and certification of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
The article also notes that nursing homes in urban areas have a harder time retaining quality staff than do rural nursing homes. And rural nursing homes usually provide a more personal touch. Consequently, it may be advisable to look into rural nursing home options for your loved one. While choosing a rural nursing home may result in a longer drive for visits, it's certainly worth this minor inconvenience to ensure quality care.
Excerpts for the Kansas City Star article:
A possible reason for the relatively low ratings in the Kansas City region could be the stiff competition for health care personnel and the difficulty urban facilities face retaining staff, said federal and state officials who inspect nursing homes.
“There’s just such shortages of nurses. In rural areas, there’s no place else to go to work, there aren’t other options,” said Jennifer King of the Kansas City regional office of the CMS.
“In urban areas, there’s turnover and not enough staff, and that leads to not enough continuity of care,” King said. “Ultimately, it even affects health inspections.”
Most of the five-star nursing homes in Missouri and Kansas are in small towns, places like Lindsborg, Kan., and Malden, Mo.
Lower staff turnover may not be the only reason for frequent five-star ratings of small-town nursing homes. Care also may be more personal there, officials say.
“If you live in a small town and work in a nursing home, you may be taking care of your own relatives or the relatives of your friends,” said Tracy Niekamp, program manager for nursing home licensure and certification of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
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