According to a recent report issued by the national non-profit organization, Families for Better Care, Pennsylvania’s ranking or rating for nursing home care has fallen from a “C” in 2013 to a “D” in 2014.
Families for Better Care is a community based advocacy group directed at increasing the quality of care for nursing homes and other types of long term care facilities. The September 2014 report is the organization’s second annual report and is based on data from calendar year 2013.
According to the report, Pennsylvania’s nursing homes are in poor shape when compared to the rest of the U.S. Pennsylvania earned a “D” and now ranks 32nd out of 50. In 2013, Pennsylvania earned a “C” and was ranked 26th in the country.
The report relies on 8 measures of quality, which include:
- the average number of professional/licensed nurse hours per resident per day,
- the average number of certified nurse aide hours per resident per day,
- percentage of facilities with deficiencies and severe deficiencies, and
- percentage of verified ombudsman complaints (i.e., complaints filed with state agencies).
Unfortunately, Pennsylvania scored failing or below average in the majority of the quality measures.
There are two areas in which Pennsylvania’s grade slid: percentage of facilities with deficiencies and percentage of verified ombudsman complaints. In 2013, 91.65% of nursing home facilities had deficiencies, and in 2014, that number increased to 95.72%. Also in 2013, 75.89% of nursing homes had verified ombudsman complaints, and in 2014, that number increased to 80.51%. These numbers indicate that complaints and deficiencies are increasing in Pennsylvania’s nursing homes.
In addition, in the last two years, Pennsylvania scored an “F” due to its average number of staffing hours per resident per day. In 2013, the average Pennsylvania nursing home provided 2.23 hours of direct care per resident. In 2014, the number hardly changed: 2.26 hours.
A low number of staffing hours per resident often indicates understaffing. Understaffing in nursing homes leads to serious problems, accidents and injuries, such as:
- bedsores,
- dehydration/malnutrition, and
- injuries from fall accidents (i.e., bed falls, bathroom falls, etc.).
Residents in Pennsylvania’s nursing homes are some of our most vulnerable citizens. Substandard care undoubtedly leads to accidents and injuries, most of which are completely avoidable.
Nursing Home Accident & Injury Lawyers in Pennsylvania
If your loved one was injured at a nursing home in Pennsylvania, please contact our law firm today. (215) 985-0777
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