Did you know that more than 1 out of every 5 (22%) Medicare beneficiaries experience lasting harm from their stay in a nursing home?
Did you know that nearly two-thirds (59%) of the above “adverse events” were deemed preventable by physicians who reviewed the circumstances which lead to the residents’ harm?
Did you know that over one-third (37%) of the “adverse events” were related to the medications given to the residents?
Did you know that another one-third (37%) of the “adverse events” were related to ongoing care such as resident falls, exacerbation of preexisting conditions, fluid and electrolyte disorders, etc.?
Did you know that just over one-fourth (26%) of “adverse events” were related to infections like aspiration pneumonia, urinary tract infections, etc.?
Finally, and the BIG ONE, did you know that 14% of those “adverse events” required life-sustaining interventions and 6% contributed to death?
Don’t believe me? These are not my conclusions but the conclusions reached by the Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Follow this link to access the report and read it for yourself.
My Take: It is embarrassing that, in the greatest country in the world, we cannot do a better job of caring for our elderly. They deserve better!