Putting a loved one into a nursing home is a difficult decision. We all want to rest soundly knowing that our loved one is being well cared for.
Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Far too many vulnerable people are injured while in assisted living. Sometimes, the injuries are a result of nursing home abuse. More often, though, vulnerable adults fall prey to negligent errors committed by overworked or inattentive caregivers.
When an error occurs, both the patient and the family have a right to know. Most nurses agree. However, they say that nursing home policies and procedures make it difficult to report errors in care.
New York University recently conducted a study involving more than 1,000 registered nurses and registered practical nurses who work in nursing home facilities. The study was designed to reveal nurses' attitudes towards error reporting in an attempt to generate ideas for improving overall nursing home care.
The majority reported that current error reporting education and support efforts were inadequate.
Barriers to Error Reporting
Approximately half of the nurses surveyed thought that errors were a "serious problem" in nursing homes.
Most agreed that errors should be reported, yet many identified substantial barriers to doing so. Nearly one-third reported that they were reluctant to report errors for fear of being sued or reprimanded.
Others identified complex procedures as an obstacle to reporting errors. Indeed, nurses who had successfully reported errors before were more likely to report subsequent errors than were nurses who had never navigated their nursing homes' error reporting procedures.
Ultimately, the study concluded that nursing homes need to do more to increase transparency and promote error reporting.
Nursing home residents and their families would certainly agree. Honest and timely error reporting isn't just a legal requirement - it's a moral and ethical obligation. Our most vulnerable citizens deserve nothing less than the best care we have to offer.
If your loved one was a victim of nursing home negligence, contact an attorney right away. An experienced attorney can advise you of your rights and make sure the responsible parties are held accountable.
