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Health & Fitness

Adverse Events in Skilled Nursing Facilities - A Reason to Stay Involved

A recent study by the Office of the Inspector General reports that an estimated 22 percent of Medicare residents experienced adverse events during their stay in a skilled nursing facility; an additional 11 percent of Medicare residents experienced events that resulted in temporary harm. That is a very high statistic --- close to 1 in every 3!! And, the report goes on to suggest that many of these events were preventable (59 %). So, as caregivers we need to lend our eyes and ears to identify issues.

Of those adverse events:

  • 37% are Events Related to Medication: medication induced change in mental status, excessive bleeding due to medication, fall or other trauma as a secondary effect of medication, bowel movement changes as a result of medication, or other events
  • 37% are Events Related to Resident Care: falls or trauma, exacerbations of conditions from an omission of care, inadequate fluid management, lack of monitoring that results conditions like deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and other care events
  • 26% are Events Related to Infection: aspiration or other respiratory infections, surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, C.diff, and other infections

As a caregiver, you can do a lot to help prevent these adverse events. Get involved and know the medications, indications and side effects; observe care and make requests for change as needed to prevent adverse events. Know proper care as it relates to ventilators, surgical sites, catheters, etc. There are guidelines that should be followed.

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To read the report, go to:

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https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-06-11-00370.pdf
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