Nursing homes owe residents a duty of care. This means that the staff and facilities must take steps to prevent accidents.
As most nursing home residents are elderly or vulnerable, facilities should be proactive in this area. Here are some essential safety measures for all nursing homes.
Fall prevention
Falls are arguably the biggest danger for nursing home residents. Every year, tens of thousands of people in nursing homes lose their lives, and many more are injured. Falls are often preventable, and some useful fall safety measures include good housekeeping, installing safety rails and fitting non-slip flooring.
First aid training
There should always be at least one first-aid-trained member of staff on hand in nursing homes. However, first aid training is something that all team nursing home staff can benefit from, and it drastically increases the safety of residents. Someone trained in CPR and other emergency first aid can keep an injured party stable until help arrives.
Infection prevention
Elderly individuals are more prone to infections. That’s why nursing homes need to be especially careful. When handling food, staff should go through proper hygiene protocols. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks should also be worn when dealing with especially vulnerable patients. The most effective form of infection prevention is thorough training in cleanliness and hygiene.
All nursing home residents deserve to be safe. While accidents can happen, negligence from the nursing home facility should not contribute to injuries. If you or someone you know has been injured in a nursing home, then personal injury compensation might be an option. The law in this area can be complex, and legal guidance can help to break it down.