We’ve spent a good deal of time discussing the persistent problem of nursing home under-staffing and the wide range of effects it has on all aspects of a nursing home. Decreased attentiveness, and under-qualified (and over-worked) staffing has a pretty straightforward effect on the health and safety of residents.

Now even the nursing home employees themselves are starting to raise their voices for patients’ rights.

The problem with reporting on these trends, however, is that it is of little comfort to the victims’ families to reflect on these tragedies only after they occur. While this is always a good – and necessary– way to raise awareness, one can’t help the feeling that there should be more to raise awareness before these tragedies occur.

That is why a recent press release from nursing home watchdog group, the Nursing Home Complaint Center, is an interesting, and potentially valuable tool. As the article suggests, nursing home under-staffing could also potentially lead to an outbreak of sepsis.

The article analogizes this potential problem to pressure sores – highly avoidable ulcers from skin breakdown when patients are left immobilized for long periods of time – and this is certainly a rational comparison. But the bigger potential problem as relates to sepsis might not only be simple under-staffing, but rather nurses and caretakers that are called upon to perform jobs that they have not been properly trained for.

Septic infections don’t often come with warning signs – it’s not as though, as is the case with visible pressure sores, one can always see the signs of sepsis. Without the proper training as to what to look for and how to respond to early warning signs, once a patient becomes septic, it may be too late. This makes the article a very valuable read, and is certainly something to be considered, if you have a loved one in a nursing home.

You can contact us here 24/7/365 (and we really mean that as we will answer our phone) if you have anyquestions and to learn how we may be able to help you or your loved one who has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect – in particular, you will find that we listen, take your phone calls and e-mails (and even text messages!). We would be honored to help you with your matters – large or small.