© The Medical-Legal News 2007
• Many nursing home patients are not appropriately assessed for fall risk.
— techmedexperts.com
• The CMS adopted new guidelines for the prevention of pressure sores in Nov. 2004.
— CMS
• At the recent National Council on Aging meeting, the theme focused on the aging of baby boomers and how the healthcare system is unprepared for a surge in the number of elderly. Long distance sensing and monitoring with the help of computers may lessen caregivers’ workloads.
— The Philadelphia Enquirer
• About 50 million Americans care for an elderly adult, and by 2030, 20 percent of all Americans will be over 65.
— Family Caregiver Alliance
• Medical directors of nursing homes make excellent expert witnesses in nursing home cases.
— techmedexperts.com
• Chemical or physical restraints may not be used for purposes of staff convenience or as a discipline tactic if a patient’s medical condition does not warrant such restraints.
— Legal Eagle Eye Newsletter
• In a voluntary survey of nurses, 10 percent said that they did not routinely assess patients for pressure ulcers. The cost of managing pressure ulcers ranges from $1.335 billion to $8.5 billion per year.
— RN