When a loved one suffers an injury in a nursing home, determining the cause will help you hold the responsible party accountable. A thorough investigation will reveal whether poor staff training played a role.
Poor management or a lack of proper staff training can lead to preventable accidents. When this occurs, you can pursue compensation that will help your injured loved one get the care they need and deserve.
Recognizing signs of poor staff training
Poor staff training could cause a nursing home injury if, for example, a resident falls due to improper assistance. A resident with limited mobility may need help moving from their bed to a wheelchair. If the staff member lacks the knowledge or experience to lift or support the resident correctly, the resident could fall and injure themselves. If this type of incident occurs frequently, it could point to insufficient staff training.
Another common issue is medication errors. Nursing home staff must have training to administer medication properly. If a resident suffers due to receiving the wrong medication or incorrect dosage, the staff’s lack of training in pharmacology or medication administration could be the cause.
Investigating the training of staff members
To determine if poor training contributed to an injury, the staff’s daily interactions with residents can be very revealing. Are staff members knowledgeable about the care routines? Do they handle residents with caution and respect? Staff who do not demonstrate competence or confidence in performing basic tasks may indicate inadequate training.
Another red flag is a high staff turnover rate. Frequent turnover suggests that the facility is struggling to hire and retain trained staff, which can lead to gaps in care and poor patient outcomes.
Taking action after an injury
If there is a reason to believe that an injury resulted from poor training, it is important to document everything related to the incident. Take note of the details, including when the injury occurred, what led up to it and any staff members involved. Speaking to other residents or family members who witnessed the event could also provide helpful information.
Recognizing and addressing staff training issues helps ensure that nursing homes provide the highest level of care to their residents. Holding the facility accountable helps prevent similar injuries from happening in the future.