November 7, 2013

Data from the National Center on Elder Abuse shows that roughly one-third of all nursing home residents over the age of 65 are the victims of abuse or neglect by medical staff each year. The North Carolina Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers with HensonFuerst point out that the number could be much higher, considering the large number of cases that are believed to go unreported.

The state’s lawmakers are working to reduce the number of abuse and neglect cases seen in nursing homes by implementing several new pieces of legislation aimed at combating the problem. According to a story published by the Star News, Senate Bill 542 calls for drug testing of all employees involved in the long-term care of patients. Furthermore, the measure also calls for an increase in the ratio of the number of Certified Nurses Assistants a facility has on staff to its number of patients.

Experts believe the latter will help reduce the number of accidental patient injuries and deaths associated with neglect due to understaffing. Studies have long shown that facilities with more certified nursing staff have fewer deficiencies and lower hospitalization rates.

HensonFuerst and their team of North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers applaud the efforts being made to protect the health and safety of the elderly living in nursing homes and are hopeful the new measures are successful!