Lack of Staffing Is a Serious Risk for Rhode Island Nursing Home Residents

Staffing Matters in Rhode Island Nursing Homes

Above all else, every nursing home resident deserves to be safe. Your loved one deserves to live with dignity and to receive necessary care. When nursing homes fail to have adequate staffing to attend to residents, your loved one’s safety, dignity, and day-to-day care may suffer.

Unfortunately, insufficient staffing happens in Rhode Island nursing homes, and some residents get hurt. If you suspect that understaffing has contributed to the neglect, abuse, or injuries sustained by a family member, contact a Rhode Island nursing home abuse lawyer at Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum, Attorneys at Law, Inc. to discuss your legal options.

Rhode Island's Nursing Home Staffing Requirements

Rhode Island’s official nursing home staffing requirements outline strict guidelines and the penalties for failing to comply with them. Nursing home facilities are required to provide 3.81 hours of direct nursing care per resident each day, 2.6 of which should be provided by a certified nursing assistant.

Unfortunately, though, penalties for understaffing are rarely issued. The industry suffered shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic and never truly recovered. In 2023, Governor Daniel McKee issued an executive order suspending penalties for understaffed nursing homes.

A new federal law may force the hand of Rhode Island nursing homes, though. President Biden’s Action Plan for Nursing Home Reform requires facilities to provide a minimum of 3.48 hours of nursing care per day, with at least 0.55 hours of care from a registered nurse and 2.45 hours of care from a nurse assistant. While change may not come overnight, Rhode Island nursing homes may soon be held to higher standards.

Nursing Home Understaffing Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries

Understaffed nursing homes are dangerous. Overworked employees may be stretched too thin. Mistakes are bound to happen. Nursing home residents may have an increased risk of the following in understaffed nursing homes:

Medication errors
Falls
Bedsores
Poor hygiene
Malnutrition
Dehydration

If you have proof that your loved one has suffered neglect or injury because of insufficient staffing, it’s important to act quickly.

How Lawyers Investigate Nursing Home Negligence

During our initial consultation, we will gather information about the incident, including the details about the injuries and any immediate signs of neglect. This helps us identify potential areas for investigation. Additionally, we will:

Review the resident’s medical records. These records may show the extent of the injuries and any documented incidents of neglect. Medical records can also reveal patterns of inadequate care that may be linked to understaffing.
Examine nursing home staffing records. Staffing logs and schedules show the number and type of staff members on duty. Our team will look for discrepancies between required staffing levels and actual staffing to determine if the facility was understaffed.
Identify and interview potential witnesses. Important witnesses may include nursing home staff, doctors, and nurses.

This information helps us demonstrate the nursing home’s failure to meet required staffing standards and its impact on your loved one.

What To Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

If you suspect that a loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect in a nursing home due to understaffing, be ready to document your suspicions and move your loved one as soon as possible. After your loved one is in a safe location, we encourage you to:

Write down any incidents of neglect or abuse. Make sure to include details such as dates, times, and descriptions of what happened.
Seek medical attention. A doctor can assess their condition and provide necessary treatment. Additionally, it creates essential evidence for any potential legal claim.
Take photographs of any visible injuries or conditions. You can use your cellphone to capture this evidence.
Report your concerns to the nursing home’s management. This creates an official record of your complaint and can initiate internal investigations.
Consult with the Rhode Island nursing home abuse lawyers at Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum. We’ll go to bat for your family and pursue the justice your loved one deserves.