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Texas Rates 4 in Overall Staffing in Nursing Homes

By Beth Janicek

As the population ages the quality of care in nursing homes has become a mounting concern at the state and national level. The Federal Government has recently changed its approach of evaluating nursing homes. Much like the system used for rating Medicare health and drug plans, the Nursing Home Compare Site rates nursing homes on a five-star quality rating. Each facility is rated from a low of one star to a high of five star based on: health inspection results, quality measures, and staffing levels. Below are the 10 worst states for overall staffing in the United States:

1. 1. Louisiana
2. 2. Georgia
3. 3. Tennessee
4. 4. Texas
5. 5. Virginia
6. 6. Indiana
7. 7. New Mexico
8. 8. West Virginia
9. 9. Missouri
10. 10. North Carolina

There is a strong association between staffing levels and the overall quality of care that residents receive. If nursing homes committed to spend the extra money to appropriately and sufficiently staff their facilities these horrific injuries that occur could be prevented. Facilities that fall below the staffing standards are significantly more likely to have cases of abuse or neglect. According to the Nursing Home Abuse Resource website there are several signs that may indicate cases of abuse or neglect against nursing home residents, such as: bed sores, pressure sores, infections, untreated pain, dehydration, malnutrition, injuries, fractures, rapid weight loss or gain, unsanitary conditions, improper medication administration, lack of supervision.

A study released by U.S. Representatives Ciro Rodriguez and Gene Green in October of 2002 found that there are serious deficiencies in many of the nursing homes in Texas. In fact eighty-six percent of Texas nursing homes violated federal health standards and over one-third of the nursing homes had violations that caused actual harm to residents or placed them at risk of death or serious injury. In addition, over 90% of nursing homes in Texas did not meet the recommended minimum staffing levels identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

These statistics are particularly worrisome to people who are currently looking for a nursing home for their loved one. Even though this information is scary, it is possible to find a suitable nursing home. Websites such as the Nursing Home Compare Site and the Attorney General of Texas Greg Abbott's page on Senior Texans provides helpful hints such as what to look for and what questions to ask. Some even provided numbers for people who can assist with the gathering of information. Choosing the right nursing home is crucial for the well being of your loved one. Additionally, if the State Legislature would toughen the regulations for staffing, the elderly in Texas would be better protected.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Beth Janicek

Full post as published by San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer on January 16, 2009 (boomark / email).