Resident at Veterans’ Home Alleges Understaffing Leaves Patients Unattended
A resident who has lived for several years at an Alabama veterans’ home is talking about problems within the facility that allegedly affect the care of the residents. One of the main concerns the resident pointed out involved alleged staffing problems involving high turnover and inadequate pay.
According to the resident, employees often work two straight shifts in order to meet what the resident thinks are the staffing levels required by state law. The resident also expressed a belief that those required levels are insufficient to deal with the number of 80–90-year-old residents who need more help and additional staff attention.
An example given by the resident was the slow response—over an hour—by staff to calls for assistance using the call-light system.
The resident did not allege any physical or emotional abuse of the residents; however, this resident was joined by a current employee, a former employee, and a family member of a former resident who all allege there is inadequate staffing.
When contacted, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) indicated that there is no minimum number of required nursing staff in nursing homes in Alabama. They referred to this statement from the state’s law: “The facility management must provide nursing services to ensure that there is direct care nurse staffing of no less than 2.5 hours per patient per 24 hours, 7 days per week in the portion of any building providing nursing home care.”
Compliance Perspective
Failing to have an adequate level of staffing to meet the individual care needs of residents and failure of staff to respond to residents’ requests for assistance via the call light system within a reasonable period of time may be considered substandard quality of care and might result in false claims.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures and budgeted staffing hours to ensure that an adequate number of nursing staff are available to provide the care needed for all residents. Consider the need for limits on the number of double shifts within a short time period that an employee may work without it affecting quality of care.
- Train staff to raise awareness and to respond in a timely manner to residents’ requests for assistance via the call light system.
- Audit posted actual staffing hours by shift and unit to ensure the level of care individual residents require is being provided, and review and address any complaints about insufficient staffing.
RECRUITING NEW EMPLOYEES – PAVING THE ROAD TO RECRUITING COMPETENT STAFF
