What are the most common injuries sustained in a Kentucky nursing home? When is a nursing home or assisted care facility responsible and accountable when a patient fall results in injury? Injuries at assisted care facilities and nursing homes are a significant challenge in Kentucky. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently reported nearly three quarters (75%) of nursing home residents fall each year, many patients more than once. The average national rate of nursing home resident falls is two per bed, per year. There are over 26,000 nursing home beds in Kentucky. That means that based on national averages, there are approximately 52,000 falls a year in Kentucky- or 1,000 a week.
The most common injuries sustained in a Kentucky nursing home include head wounds and brain injury, broken bones and fractures – especially to the pelvis, arms and wrists. The CDC reports that over 1,800 nursing home resident deaths occur each year in the United States. In Kentucky, a fatal fall in a nursing home or assisted care facility could result in a wrongful death, or a Kentucky Resident Rights, action on behalf of the family.
Bedsores or pressure ulcers are another common injury in a Kentucky nursing home. Bedsores can occur when a patient is left in one position for an extended period of time. These pressure ulcers occur most commonly on the hips, tailbones, heels and ankles.
Another common injury in Kentucky assisted care facilities and nursing homes is the administration of improper medication or overdose. Nursing home and assisted care patients and residents usually require extensive medication. According to the CDC most nursing homes and care facilities are understaffed, or there are not enough medical professionals available to treat the number of patients in a given facility. It is easy to see how overworked staffers or inexperienced caregivers could make a serious mistake in dosage or provide the wrong medication to a patient resulting in allergic reactions or overdose. In some cases this can be fatal.
It is the responsibility and legal obligation of the nursing home or assisted care facility to provide protection and care for their patients and residents. If you or someone you love is injured in a fall at a nursing home or assisted care facility, suffers bedsores or is a victim of medication errors we invite you to review the recommendations of our clients and the legal industry and contact HLH or call (866) 583-9701 for a free consultation with one of our experienced nursing home injury, neglect and abuse attorneys.