What are some common safety issues in nursing homes?

Nursing Home Abuse - October 24, 2023

Unfortunately, safety issues in nursing homes are far more common than you might think, with thousands of cases of safety-related injuries, abuse, and neglect reported annually.

If you believe your loved one has suffered harm due to a safety issue at their nursing home, you may have the right to take legal action against those responsible. Connect with an experienced Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates to explore your options.

Fire safety in nursing homes

When nursing home facilities fail to follow federal fire safety regulations, they can be held accountable when patients suffer debilitating burns and other catastrophic injuries in nursing home fires. Below are some common failures and omissions by nursing homes to keep their residents safe:

• Failing to make repairs to known faulty cooking equipment
• Hiring improperly-trained kitchen personnel
• Failing to ensure each room in the nursing home is equipped with sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and operational alarms
• Failing to adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines

Life safety code for nursing homes

Life safety code (“exit code”) requirements should be enough to protect patients who may be alone in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately, the life safety code for nursing homes is often ignored by negligent healthcare providers.

Making sure beds have call buttons close by, bathrooms have emergency pull strings, and nursing home residents have been trained on how to use the safety alert systems are some of the best ways to improve patient safety in nursing homes.

Food safety in nursing homes

Failure to prioritize food safety in nursing homes is one of the top ways patients suffer foodborne illnesses. Some of the most common types of food safety violations in nursing home facilities include:

• Serving undercooked food
• Cockroaches and other bug infestations
• Mouse droppings in kitchen facilities
• Using moldy kitchen devices to prepare food for patience

Oxygen safety in nursing homes

Many nursing home residents need to use oxygen to breathe. Most nursing home facilities treat oxygen as medicine. Unfortunately, many facilities fail to prioritize oxygen safety in nursing homes.

Sometimes, healthcare providers are not properly trained in how to provide nursing home residents with long-term oxygen therapy. Other times, oxygen tanks can become a serious fire hazard, particularly when they are improperly stored.

Wheelchair safety in nursing homes

Lack of wheelchair safety in nursing homes is one of the most common ways residents suffer severe injuries. Some of the best ways nursing home facilities can prevent wheelchair falls include:

• Use of drop seats
• Making sure residents have adequate assistance getting into and out of wheelchairs
• Use of reachers
• Rearranging nursing home rooms to accommodate wheelchairs
• Installing wheelchair alarms
• Reminding staff regularly of wheelchair safety requirements

Connect with a nursing home abuse lawyer in Chicago today

If you believe your loved one suffered debilitating injuries or death due to safety hazards in a nursing home, do not hesitate to turn to Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates.

Contact our dedicated Chicago personal injury attorneys today for a 100% free consultation. You can get started as soon as today by completing our convenient contact form or calling our office at (800) 985-1819.