Lawsuit Alleges
Understaffing in the Fall and Death of Pennsylvania
Nursing
Home Resident
A lawsuit filed by the brother of a deceased Pennsylvania nursing home resident claims that the county-owned facility was “intentionally and grossly understaffed” causing a “significant decrease in care that should have been provided” for the resident.
The fall incident occurred in July 2017 when the resident was allegedly dropped by a certified nursing assistant (CNA) while she was being moved. When the resident fell, she hit her face and knees and sustained fractures to her femur along with other injuries. She died ten hours later of cardiac arrest after being resuscitated several times.
The nursing home’s medical records indicate that the resident “rolled out of bed while she was being changed;” however, the suit alleges that the fall was “due to the CNA’s lack of training, instruction, supervision….”
The lawsuit claims that the facility failed to provide the complete medical record covering the whole time the resident was in the nursing home.
Damages in excess of $75,000 are being sought from the county, the owner and operator of the nursing home, and a consulting firm.
The facility has not returned any of the calls made inquiring into the lawsuit.
Compliance Perspective
Failing to prevent residents from rolling off the bed during care or falling when being moved may indicate deficiencies regarding F689 – Free of Accident Hazards, Supervision, and Devices; F641-Accuracy of Assessments; and F725 – Sufficient Nursing Staff, all pointing to possible provision of sub-standard quality of care in violation of state and federal regulations.
Discussion Points
- Review policies and procedures regarding the provision of comprehensive resident-centered care plans, including timely care plan assessment and revision and adjusting the staffing level needed to be able to provide the care necessary for the residents.
- Train staff to follow residents’ care plans and care procedures on how to prevent a resident from rolling off a bed during care or falling when being moved.
- Periodically audit resident’s care plans to determine if the number of staff members needed to provide care is sufficient, and that appropriate staffing levels are being scheduled to provide the level of care needed for current residents’ needs.
RECRUITING NEW EMPLOYEES – PAVING THE ROAD TO RECRUITING COMPETENT STAFF
