When you and your loved one decides that it's time for them to move into a nursing home, you have likely made the decision based on the difficulty of them staying in their own home. You expect to depend on the care that they will receive from the nursing home staff. On some occasions, your loved one may need additional help that the nursing home can't directly supply. When something goes wrong with a nursing home resident, the first course of action is often to treat the problem onsite first. Depending on the level of harm, this may not be enough to treat the resident. The type of medical issues that older people generally have may require more specialized care that makes a visit to the hospital necessary. This is why efficient hospital care is a pivotal part of an elderly person's health care management and should be part of the consideration for nursing home residents. Included in this plan is making certain that speedy transportation is readily available. The distance and mortality connection Studies have shown a direct correlation between the distance to the hospital and patient mortality: The greater distance to a hospital developed in a lengthier trip, which in turn increased the odds of the patient dying. It isn't surprising that the distance from the hospital was a notable factor in the resident's survival. However, there were key differences in certain patients who had an even higher level or risk than others. For instance, individuals with respiratory emergencies saw a greater level of risk, which is a typical ailment amongst many elderly Americans; factors, such as gender and severity of illness, however, did not make much of an effect on mortality. Nursing homes and hospital proximity Thankfully, many nursing homes are located near hospitals and medical centers due to recognizing the aging populations' needs. This is something considered in the building stages of nursing homes and it's also something to consider when you are choosing a nursing home for your relative or loved one. Even though many facilities have hospitals nearby, it doesn't always mean that the transportation goes off without a hitch. Proving negligence in nursing homes Despite the proximity of nursing homes to hospitals, sometimes the nursing home fails to get a resident medical care in a timely manner. Through the negligent actions of nursing home care staff and management, even a brief delay in getting these services could end up in disaster by costing a life or causing permanent damage. In order to prove a negligence claim, you will have to prove liability by showing that the facility owed a duty of care to the nursing home resident and that they breached that duty. You also have to show that the facility is the cause of the harm that the resident suffered. If you or your loved one or relative was hurt in a similar fashion, you may want to explore whether you can pursue an action against the nursing home. Get started by connecting with a skilled Walton Law attorney who can help you evaluate your claim. Contact us today.
Why Well-Timed Hospital Care is Significant to Nursing Home Residents