Warning Signs of Sexual Assault in Nursing Home Ignored

Posted on June 3, 2010 by David Boyles

An employee at a nursing home repeatedly molested at least seven residents between 2000 and 2007.  Now, an investigation by a local newspaper has shown that the abuse was allowed to continue even though there were warning signs.  The investigation also documents the torment the abused residents must still live with, even though the molester is now in prison.

James Wright, who worked at National HealthCare-Bristol from 2000 to 2007, is currently in jail serving a 60-year sentence for assault four residents at the facility.  Investigators have linked him to at least three other abuse cases and there are at least five other cases of abuse that occurred at the facility during that time period that may or may not be linked to Wright.  In addition, Wright is accused of assaulting a resident at another assisted living facility where he worked after leaving National HealthCare. 

The extensive investigation by the Bristol Herald Courier reveals that suspicions about Wright were well-known among staff and administrators at Bristol HealthCare for a long time.  In 2007, there were five complaints about Wright in the months leading up to his departure.  Despite this, he was not fired, but allowed to resign with positive recommendations.  He then got a job at an assisted living facility, where he is also accused of sexually assaulting a resident.

This is a classic example of a nursing home administration covering up abuse in order to save face and, in the process, allowing more abuse to happen.  When cases like this come to light, nursing home administrators will frequently try to shift all blame onto the perpetrator and deny any responsibility.  However, if they have suspicion that abuse is occurring and fail to take steps to stop it, they should be held responsible as well.

For more information on nursing home abuse, visit Solomon & Relihan's Nursing Home Advocates website.
Tags: , , , , ,

Mental Health Worker Verbally Abused for Complaining About Group Homes

Posted on May 26, 2010 by David Boyles

An Oregon mental health worker is suing the state for $1 million, claiming that she was verbally abused after she complained about the abuse of group home clients.  The woman claims that co-workers at the State Department of Health Services verbally attacked her and used racial epithets after she raised concerns about abuse and improper care at the state-run group homes and the stress caused by these attacks eventually forced her to leave her job.

Vanessa James worked as a mental health therapy technician at a state-run group home.  After complaining to superiors about abuse and improper care in the group home, James claims that her co-workers verbally attacked her.  The stress from the abuse caused her to seek treatment and counseling and her doctor eventually removed her from her job.  When she returned to work, she was assigned to a new nursing home, where she claims she was treated differently from co-workers and not allowed to work overtime in retaliation for her actions.  She is currently on leave, as the state has refused to return her to her current job.

This case illustrates a severe problem for workers and clients of nursing homes and group homes.  Employees who want to do the right thing are often discouraged by supervisors and co-workers from coming forward because those in charge want to ignore signs of abuse and neglect.  Like Ms. James, group home staffers who do come forward may be the subject of abuse and discrimination and put their careers in jeopardy. 

Because of this, it is important for friends and family of group home residents to be diligent in identifying and preventing neglect and abuse.  If you suspect neglect or abuse, you should report it immediately and contact an attorney to discuss the best way to proceed.

For more information on detecting and preventing group home abuse, visit Solomon & Relihan's Group Home Abuse website.
Tags: , , , , , ,

Front Line Reporting of Abuse and Neglect

Posted on March 20, 2009 by Martin Solomon

Who is in the best position to report abuse and neglect in a nursing home? The nursing staff, of course. A great many nurses and nurse aides are dedicated caring professionals. Then why aren’t they reporting?

One reason may be is that there isn’t much patient neglect and abuse in nursing homes. However, we know that just isn’t true, so we must look further for the answer.

As it turns out, there is a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) which discusses this very issue.

The AMDA article reports on a study done in Iowa and concludes that, although nursing home staff is aware of their duty to report as well as the mechanism for reporting, there is little reporting of neglect and abuse by staff (53% admitted suspicion yet only 35% reported abuse).

The article concludes that the reasons for under-reporting are:

1. Inadequate education and training as to whether actions by fellow caregivers rise to the level of a reportable event.

2. Fear of lack of anonymity.

3. Fear of retaliation by fellow workers and the employer.

4. Inexperience of co-workers in dealing with difficult residents.

5. Staff fatigue resulting from being overworked.

6. Lack of comfort with the reporting agency.

Whatever the reason for inadequate reporting, it is vital to all our welfare that nursing home staff be encouraged and supported in fulfilling their duty to report suspected abuse and neglect.

The “Guardian Blog” will provide information to help both families and professionals assess and improve the quality of nursing home care in Arizona and the Guardian Blog will encourage dialogue with and among its readers.
 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,