Following the death of a nursing home resident who had been given a lethal dose of morphine, a North Carolina attorney is investigating the use of drugs in nursing homes. Attorney Carma Henson is representing three of the nine residents at Britthaven nursing home who tested positive for morphine following the death of Rachel Holliday on Feb. 16.
Continue Reading...Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has announced a Senior Anti-Crime University in Sedona on June 24. This free half-day seminar will feature classes on consumer scams, investment fraud, personal safety, elder abuse, financial exploitation and other issues affecting seniors.
Continue Reading...A couple in Tallahassee, Florida has been arrested for operating an assisted living facility without a license. The arrest came after an investigation that uncovered severe neglect of elderly residents.
Continue Reading...The former CEO of a Milwaukee nursing home who stole from her nursing home while patients were neglected is going to prison for tax evasion. The CEO is alleged to have stolen over $1 million from her nursing home while patients were denied baths and clean sheets and one resident jumped to his death after the staff ignored his threats of suicide.
Continue Reading...An Albuquerque group home for children with hearing impairment may be shut down due to excessive calls to the police. The Albuquerque news reports that the police have been to the home "dozens of times," responding to violence and threats. Some of the teens reportedly threatened to kill staff members, broke windows and slapped their caregivers.
The operators admit the situation is not appropriate. They claim to have taken steps towards a better environment, including giving staff "additional training." This begs the question, "why wasn't the staff trained properly to begin with?" Additionally, one wonders how healthy this environment can be for the teens when the staff can't control the situation and police must be called. A group home is supposed to be a supportive environment that helps its members adapt and function in society. This level of chaos and stress would surely hinder that kind of development
This article indicates the importance of a properly trained staff and safe group home environment. If a member of your family is in a group home, be sure to make sure they caregivers manage issues constructively. And, always be aware of the signs of abuse or neglect that may be occurring.
A nursing home is a nursing institution that is managed by an Administrator, who is not a medical professional.
The highest level of medical management in the nursing home is the Medical Director.
It is also common for the Medical Director to be the primary treating physician for his own patients in the facility.
Under Federal Regulation, the nursing home Medical Director is responsible for “the coordination of medical care in the facility.” This means that the Medical Director is responsible for assuring that the nursing staff is providing appropriate care to its patients.
In addition, the Medical Director is a member of the clinical care oversight committee which is charged with addressing all facility deficiencies as identified by the state’s Department of Health Services.
The role of the Medical Director requires an investment of time for the analysis of the facility’s operations and should not be taken lightly by any physician. The Medical Director must become familiar with the system of healthcare delivery within the facility and assure that it functions properly.
With this responsibility comes accountability which means liability, should the Medical Director fail to perform as required.
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