Nursing homes provide care for people who are vulnerable or who may need personal support.
For these facilities to run properly, they must have adequate staff.
Understaffing in a nursing home occurs in two situations. First, South Carolina state regulations require a designated Director of Nursing.
Nursing homes must also meet the following ratios of residents to nurses: nine to one for the first shift, 13 to one for the second shift, and 22 to one for the third shift. If these ratios are not met, a nursing home is considered understaffed.
Second, a nursing home may be understaffed because there aren’t enough workers to meet the needs of their residents. Regulations require a facility to have an “adequate number of licensed nurses” on duty to meet resident needs. The exact number varies based on the number of residents and their individual needs.
How Understaffing Leads to Neglect and Injury in Nursing Homes
Understaffing in nursing homes can lead to resident neglect in several ways.
Lack of urgent response
Without sufficient staff, care providers may not be available to respond to an urgent situation. A person may suffer additional harm because they don’t receive prompt care. With enough staff members, workers are not put in the difficult position of deciding how to prioritize care.
Care providers not knowing residents well
If workers have time to get to know the residents, they can provide better care. They should know residents well enough to observe when a resident has health changes. They may pick up on something subtle that is important to the patient’s well-being. When there is nursing home understaffing, workers are too busy in the short term to know the people they are caring for.
Inadequate fall support
Falls are a leading cause of injury for nursing home residents. There are things that can be done to minimize fall risk, but the staff must have the time to do them. Staff can make sure that the facility doesn’t have broken, uneven, or slippery flooring. They can check that the handrails are in good condition. In addition, they can do individual fall assessments, making sure footwear and walking support are appropriate for an individual patient.
Facilities maintenance
Poor facility maintenance can lead to resident neglect. This isn’t just nursing staff—there must be sufficient maintenance, as well as utility and facilities workers, to keep the nursing home in good condition. A resident may need the lights or plumbing in their room addressed, or there may be a problem with the heating and cooling system. Failing to meet these basic needs because of understaffing may result in neglect.
Bedsores
Understaffed nursing homes may not have people to check on residents. A person who is unable to move independently may be left in the same position for a long time. When skin is fragile or damaged, bedsores may develop. Often, bedsores are preventable with position changes. Staff must be present to meet these needs.
Basic sanitation, hygiene
Nursing homes must be kept clean. A lack of sanitation may mean otherwise preventable infection. Each resident needs personal hygiene to feel their best and remain healthy. Basic sanitation measures should include routine laundry service and additional cleaning for hazardous situations.
Foodservice, nutrition
Neglect can occur in nursing home food service and resident nutrition. Residents must have adequate opportunities to eat and drink.
They may need assistance or have unique nutritional needs. When there are not enough staff, these needs may be overlooked.
Medication errors, lack of medical attention
Medical errors can be extremely consequential. A resident may not receive the medication or dose they need or may receive medication they should not have. Medication errors may prevent a person from healing or maintaining good health. These errors may also result in harm.
Emotional neglect
Care in a nursing home is emotional as well as physical. When inadequate staffing occurs, residents may feel insecure. A resident may not have opportunities to socialize or visit with family. The situation may be neglectful.
Common Injuries Caused by Understaffing Issues
Common injuries caused by understaffing may include the following:
- Bedsores
- Infection
- Broken bones
- Malnutrition, dehydration
- Bruising
- Sprains
- Overall health decline
- Anxiety
- Depression
In addition, when understaffing leads to medical errors, residents may suffer acute medical problems and worse patient outcomes.
The Legal Responsibility of Nursing Homes To Provide Adequate Staffing
Understaffed nursing homes aren’t just a moral problem. They are also a legal problem. Nursing homes must maintain adequate staffing as part of their licensing requirements. In addition, a nursing home may have legal fault when harm occurs because of inadequate staffing.
Recognizing Signs of Neglect Due to Understaffing
Signs of neglect due to understaffing include:
- Patient anxiety, depression, reluctance to ask for help
- Increase in patient injury
- Worse medical outcomes overall
- Not meeting state-mandated quotas for staff
- No staff is available to respond to a resident’s call for help
- Resident falls, lack of fall risk assessments
- Bedsores, other medical signs
- Used food trays or soiled clothing piling up
- Not seeing staff in the facility
- Lack of access to food and water
- High turnover among staff
- Few social opportunities for residents
- Care not provided on a routine schedule
- Medical errors, missed medications
Sometimes, nursing home understaffing is obvious. Care providers don’t respond to a call for help, so a resident tries to move on their own, and they fall. Other times, the signs of understaffing in a nursing home are more subtle.
Filing a Lawsuit Against a Nursing Home for Injuries
Nursing home understaffing may be the basis of a lawsuit for compensation. The way to receive compensation is to bring a legal claim. A nursing home abuse lawyer can evaluate the grounds for the lawsuit, what is involved in bringing a claim, and what the resident or surviving family members may receive in compensation.
Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Did understaffing in a nursing home harm you or a loved one? Contact an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer. At Bobby Jones Law, we represent nursing home abuse and neglect victims. Talk to a lawyer and see how we may assist you. Call or message us now.
