Scalding Injury
There are many ways that nursing home residents suffer injury in a bathroom and shower, few are as preventable as scalding injuries due to hot water in the shower or bath. Nursing homes are mandated to assess resident risks and to provide adequate care and supervision to prevent accidents. Facilities need to check the water temperature on the water heaters and then again assure that the water is not dangerously hot for residents. Like children, elder residents with thin skin and age related issues can burn even quicker than a younger person. Anyone can suffer 3rd degree burn injuries in just seconds or a few minutes depending the temperature.
According to 42 CFR § 483.25, quality of care is a fundamental principle that applies to all treatment and care provided to facility residents. Based on the comprehensive assessment of a resident, the facility must ensure that residents receive treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice, the comprehensive person-centered care plan, and the resident’s choices, including but not limited to the following:
(d) Accidents. The facility must ensure that—
(1) The resident environment remains as free of accident hazards as is possible; and
(2) Each resident receives adequate supervision and assistance devices to prevent accidents.
Scalding Injury Burns
Information About Burns from Hot Water Scalding Injury from the CDC, scalds, which are burns attributed to hot liquids or steam, account for 33%–58% of all patients hospitalized for burns in the United States. Adults aged ≥65 years have a worse prognosis than younger patients after scald burns because of age-related factors and comorbid medical conditions, and they are subject to more extensive medical treatment than younger adults. To estimate the number of emergency department (ED) visits for nonfatal scald burns among U.S. adults aged ≥65 years and describe their characteristics, CDC analyzed ED visit data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) for 2001–2006. This report summarizes the results, which indicated that adults aged ≥65 years made an estimated 51,700 initial visits to EDs for nonfatal scald burns during 2001–2006, for an average of 8,620 visits per year and an estimated average annual rate of 23.8 visits per 100,000 population. Two thirds of visits were made by women. Most (76%) of the nonfatal scald injuries occurred at home; 42% were associated with hot food and 30% with hot water or steam. The findings in this report highlight the need for effective scald-prevention programs targeted to older persons.
Scalding Injury Burn Attorney
If you have questions about elder burn injuries or any form nursing home abuse and neglect contact Kenneth LaBore for a free consultation. There is no fee unless there is a verdict or settlement offer from the wrongdoer. Mr. LaBore can be reached directly at 612-743-9048 or toll free at 1-888-452-6589 or by email at KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com.
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