When a nursing home is understaffed, it puts residents’ health at risk. Having adequate and well-trained staff at all times is crucial. Otherwise, staff might neglect residents, leading to potential injuries and illnesses. Sometimes, understaffing is not intentional. Perhaps no one is applying to open positions at the facility. However, at other times nursing homes understaff to cut costs. If you or a family member suffered harm due to understaffing in nursing homes, contact Senior Justice Law Firm immediately.
Common Causes of Nursing Home Understaffing
There are several common causes of understaffing in nursing homes. One is labor costs. Nursing homes try to cut costs, including wages. They can reduce their labor costs and inflate their earnings by intentionally understaffing. Nursing homes don’t want to pay overtime either, which can lead to intentional understaffing. Some facilities go so far as to report fake staffing numbers to receive additional funding from Medicare and Medicaid. This is considered Medicare billing fraud and is actionable under a nursing home qui tam lawsuit.
In some cases, nursing homes may struggle to keep good staff. Even the best facilities have some turnover. Working in a nursing home is stressful, and people tend to bounce around. A facility may be understaffed because people suddenly quit. A high turnover rate means other available employees can quickly become overwhelmed.
Effects of Understaffing in Nursing Homes
Unfortunately, understaffing in nursing home facilities directly impacts the level of care the residents receive. The risk of neglect and abuse increases with fewer staff members. Residents depend on caregivers for assistance with bathing, eating, medications, and more, especially for residents who are not mobile. Staff members who are overworked and more stressed out increase the risk of abuse. While it’s understandable that employees are frustrated and stressed, there’s zero justification for abusing a resident. Family members who suspect their loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse should speak with one of our experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers.
In some situations, it’s necessary to have two staff members to move a resident. If there’s only one staff member, they might drop the resident, causing injuries.
When there is not enough staff, residents might develop bedsores or pressure ulcers. These occur when an immobile person is not regularly moved. Bedsores are extremely painful and can lead to further issues. When left untreated, there’s a risk of death. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, around 60,000 people die annually from bedsores.
Another consequence of understaffing is the risk of a resident trying to move on their own because no staff is available. Perhaps the resident hits their call button because they need assistance going to the bathroom. When no one comes, they try to go independently, resulting in a slip, trip, or fall.
Contact Senior Justice Law Firm
A nursing home should always be looking out for its residents rather than prioritizing profits. Understaffing in nursing homes is a growing problem. If you or a family member suffered harm, contact Senior Justice Law Firm right away. We specialize in nursing home neglect and abuse and can help you report the offending facility and pursue justice. Schedule an initial consultation by calling us a (888) 375-9998 or submitting your case facts below to learn more about how we can assist you.
