What Safety Issues are Common in Nursing Homes?
While no one wants to think about it, safety issues are far more common in nursing homes than many people think. Thousands of safety issues and concerns in these facilities are reported every year. If you think your loved one has been injured due to a safety issue in their nursing home, you may be able to file a claim against the facility. Below, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney explains more.
Fire Safety Issues in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes must follow federal fire safety regulations and when they do not, residents can suffer catastrophic injuries such as debilitating burns when there is a fire. Some of the most common ways nursing homes fail to keep residents safe are as follows:
- Failing to repair or replace cooking equipment that is known to be faulty,
- Hiring kitchen personnel who are not properly trained,
- Failing to make sure every room in the facility is equipped with functioning alarms, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems, and
- Failing to comply with the guidelines outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Food Safety Issues in Nursing Homes
When nursing homes fail to prioritize food safety, residents can become sick from food-borne illnesses. Some of the most common food safety issues in nursing homes include:
- Allowing pest infestations, such as cockroaches or mice, to exist in food preparation areas,
- Serving food that is undercooked, and
- Using unsanitary utensils and dishes when preparing or serving food.
Oxygen Safety Issues in Nursing Homes
Many nursing home patients require oxygen to help them breathe. The majority of nursing homes view oxygen as medicine but they fail to prioritize oxygen safety. Staff members are not always trained properly on how to safely provide patients with oxygen therapy. Additionally, oxygen tanks can also pose a serious fire hazard, especially when they are not stored properly.
Wheelchair Safety Issues in Nursing Homes
One of the most common ways nursing home residents become hurt is due to a lack of wheelchair safety. Nursing home staff members have a responsibility to prevent wheelchair falls, including taking the following measures:
- Providing sufficient assistance when elders are getting into and out of wheelchairs,
- Using drop seats,
- Using wheelchair alarms, along with chair sensors and chair pads,
- Using reachers,
- Reorganizing rooms in nursing homes to accommodate wheelchairs, and
- Regularly reminding staff members about wheelchair safety requirements.
Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Tampa Can Help After Injury
Safety issues in nursing homes can cause some of the most serious injuries. If your loved one has sustained an injury and you believe that nursing home negligence or abuse was to blame, it is critical that you speak with a Tampa nursing home abuse attorney. At Kohn Law, our experienced attorney can review the facts of your case, collect evidence to support your claim, and help your family obtain the full and fair compensation you rightfully deserve. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case and to get the legal help you need.
Source:
medicare.gov/care-compare/resources/nursing-home/fire-safety-inspections
