Nursing Home & Hospital Surveyor

Nursing home abuse takes many forms: emotional, financial, neglect, and physical assault are just a few. Nursing Homes are full of vulnerable elders who are the most susceptible to abuse. Many suffer from dementia or other disabiltiies and are unable to tell anyone aqbout the abuse they are suferring or are not aware of it.

The infographic below provides information regardnig the severity of nursing home abuse issue and warning signs of abuse. Incidents of nursing home abuse are rarely reported to the proper authorities. No matter what form it takes, nursing home abuse is wrong and needs to be stopped.

Nursing Home Abuse infographic brought to you by Sokolove Law

I hope this helps you see signs of abuse if it is ocurring.
JL

Tags: Abuse, Attorney, Elder Abuse, Neglect, Nursing Homes, Patient/Resident Rights

Pateint Safety is important in the nursing home, hospital and any healthcare facility. Nursing Home and Hospital Surveyors do look at patient safety as they do surveys and investigations in those healthcare facilities. Processes change as we become more knowledgable about healthcare issues. Here is a historical look at scientific improvements over the last 2,000 years related to patient safety, the lack of which happens to be the 5th leading cause of death in the United States.

Source: Accelerated Nursing Degrees

Remember, you must be your own advocate in order to stay safe in a healthcare facility.
JL

Tags: Healthcare Facilities

This week I came upon a blog entry at Bella Camilla. It was poignant. I want to share it with you as it tells such a beautiful story and one that is not all that uncommon in a nursing home setting.

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80′s arrived at the hospital to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. The nurse took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.

He told me that she had been at the nursing home for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, ‘And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?’

He smiled as he patted my hand and said,  ‘She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.’

JL

Tags: Nursing Homes, Patient/Resident Rights

One thing that is becoming more prevalent is healthcare consumers becoming more aware. The Internet has a wealth of information for consumers, and  sorting through and making use of that information is how each of us can be more active in directing our own healthcare. Healthwatch MD put out a video on the concept of patient as part of the healthcare team. No longer is the team just the doctor and nurses, now it is everyone, doctors, nurses, social workers, clergy, therapists, family and patients, to name just a few. Take a few moments to watch Dr. Leigh Hamby, chief medical officer for Piedmont Healthcare, discuss this concept.

Hospital Safety: You are Part of Your Healthcare Team

Remember, to be your own advocate!

JL

Tags: Healthcare Facilities, Patient Rights, Patient/Resident Rights, Quality Improvement