How to Report Poor Care in a Virginia Nursing Home
Sadly, all nursing homes do not provide the same level of care for patients. Some facilities often compromise patient safety and well-being in an effort to save money and cut staffing. These facilities often end up providing substandard care that jeopardizes the health of their patients.
This is unfair not only to patients, but to their family members who have placed their trust in such facilities. Fortunately, patients and their loved ones do have the power to report these negligent and dangerous facilities. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as state health departments and survey agencies accept reports from patients and their loved ones.
If your loved one lives in an unsanitary, understaffed, or poorly managed facility, read the following information to learn how to report poor care in a Virginia nursing home.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence
Legally, healthcare providers are required to report any signs of negligence or abuse in nursing homes. Unfortunately, this does not always happen, and in many cases, negligent healthcare practitioners are responsible for the poor care provided in nursing homes. Patients and their loved ones may need to report a nursing home if they notice any of the following conditions or occurrences:
- Incorrect or delayed diagnosis from medical professionals
- Bruises, bedsores, or any other sign of abuse or negligence
- Unclean or unsanitary conditions
- Unsupervised patients
- Improper medication dosing
Unnecessary deaths and unreported injuries often occur behind closed doors in such nursing homes. In short, patients and their loved ones should report any condition that threatens the health or safety of a resident.
Reporting Unsafe Facilities
Reporting a negligent nursing facility is not always a simple task. Often, dishonest administrators, staff members, and care providers work together to keep instances of abuse and negligence out of the public eye. Staff members are often encouraged to not report unsafe conditions, and they may even bully patients into remaining silent as well.
This is a serious problem, and patients may need the help of an attorney to file a report. Many nursing homes have multiple violations, and do not take the proper steps to remedy these violations. As a matter of fact, negligent facilities may even fail to disclose safety violations to patients and their loved ones.
This is not only immoral, but illegal as well. Patients should not feel guilty about asking an attorney how to report poor care in a Virginia nursing home.
Documenting Signs of Abuse and Neglect
Patients who intend to file a report may need to collect proof of abuse or neglect. This can be immensely helpful to an attorney, and when the time to file a report arrives, the evidence can be submitted to a government official. If possible, patients should do the following to bolster their case:
- Describe any injuries stemming from abuse, neglect, or improper medical care.
- Obtain written statements from eyewitnesses.
- Take photographs of the injuries or conditions.
- Note any changes in the behavior of the patient.
- Obtain written statements from abused or neglected patients.
Loved ones should never feel like they overexaggerating or causing trouble if they suspect nursing home abuse.
Learn How to Report Poor Care in a Virginia Nursing Home
If you or a loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, you have a right to file a report. Nursing home abuse is a serious issue, and individuals who abuse patients will usually continue if they are not stopped. Nursing homes that violate patient safety laws can face a wide variety of civil and criminal penalties.
You may also be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering if you have been abused or neglected. Learn how to report poor care in a Virginia nursing home by contacting an attorney today.