Posts Tagged ‘Shower Chair Injury’

Minnesota Nursing Home Neglect Fractures

Written By: Kenneth LaBore | Published On: 29th January 2019 | Category: Fall Injuries, Hoyer Lift, Patient Lift, Wrongful Death | RSS Feed

Nursing Home Resident Fractures From Falls

Nursing Home Neglect Fractures

Injuries such as nursing home neglect fractures are one of the most common types of elder neglect. Falls from patient lifts, wheelchairs, in the shower and bathroom or falling from bed are examples of preventable neglect in most cases.

Common types of fractures include head injuries and skull fractures, traumatic brain injury – subdural hematomas, broken arms, fractured hips, femurs and legs.

Information About Nursing Home Neglect Fractures

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, falls among nursing home residents occur frequently and repeatedly. About 1,800 older adults living in nursing homes die each year from fall-related injuries and those who survive falls frequently sustain hip fractures and head injuries that result in permanent disability and reduced quality of life.

In 2003, 1.5 million people 65 and older lived in nursing homes. If current rates continue, by 2030 this number will rise to about 3 million.
About 5% of adults 65 and older live in nursing homes, but nursing home residents account for about 20% of deaths from falls in this age group.
Each year, a typical nursing home with 100 beds reports 100 to 200 falls. Many falls go unreported.
Between half and three-quarters of nursing home residents fall each year. That’s twice the rate of falls for older adults living in the community.
Patients often fall more than once. The average is 2.6 falls per person per year.
About 35% of fall injuries occur among residents who cannot walk.

Common Cause of Nursing Home Neglect Fractures

The CDC, provides a list of common reasons and causes for the falls and fractures:

Muscle weakness and walking or gait problems are the most common causes of falls among nursing home residents. These problems account for about 24% of the falls in nursing homes.
Environmental hazards in nursing homes cause 16% to 27% of falls among residents.
Such hazards include wet floors, poor lighting, incorrect bed height, and improperly fitted or maintained wheelchairs.
Medications can increase the risk of falls and fall-related injuries. Drugs that affect the central nervous system, such as sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs, are of particular concern. Fall risk is significantly elevated during the three days following any change in these types of medications.
Other causes of falls include difficulty in moving from one place to another (for example, from the bed to a chair), poor foot care, poorly fitting shoes, and improper or incorrect use of walking aids.

Nursing Home Neglect Fractures Attorney

If you have questions about nursing home abuse and neglect and fractures or other fall related injuries 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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Free Consultation on Issues of Elder Abuse and Neglect Serving all of Minnesota Toll Free 1-888-452-6589

Falls In Shower in Nursing Home

Written By: Kenneth LaBore | Published On: 30th January 2017 | Category: Fall Injuries, Grab Bars, Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect, Patient Lift, Wrongful Death | RSS Feed

Falls in Shower in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living and Memory Care Facilities

Falls In Shower Need to Be Prevented

Nursing homes are required by federal law to provide each resident with care and services based on their individual needs. Nursing homes must provide assistance with toileting, bathing, hygiene routines such as bathing or showering as needed.

According to 42 CFR 483.24, quality of life is a fundamental principle that applies to all care and services provided to facility residents. Each resident must receive and the facility must provide the necessary care and services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being, consistent with the resident’s comprehensive assessment and plan of care.

(b) Activities of daily living. The facility must provide care and services in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section for the following activities of daily living:

(1) Hygiene—bathing, dressing, grooming, and oral care,

(2) Mobility—transfer and ambulation, including walking,

(3) Elimination—toileting,

(4) Dining—eating, including meals and snacks,

(5) Communication, including

(i) Speech,
(ii) Language,
(iii) Other functional communication systems.

Injuries From Falls In Shower

There are many common ways that falls happen related to showering and bathing in an elder care facility. Often the resident has some form of physical or cognitive disability and needs assistance of staff and perhaps of mechanical devices to lift or support such as a shower chair. Many of the injuries are serious and result in lacerations and cuts, head injuries, fractured bones such as femurs, hip joints and pelvis, and other injuries that result in disability or death to the resident.

Information about Falls in Shower

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2008, approximately 21.8 million persons aged ≥15 years sustained nonfatal, unintentional injuries, resulting in approximately $67.3 billion in lifetime medical costs. Information about where injuries occur is limited, but bathrooms commonly are believed to be a particularly hazardous location. To investigate this assumption, CDC analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of emergency departments (EDs) to describe the incidence and circumstances of nonfatal injuries in bathrooms (in any setting) among persons aged ≥15 years in the United States. This report describes the results of that investigation, which found that, based on 3,339 cases documented in the 2008 National Electronic Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) database, an estimated 234,094 nonfatal bathroom injuries were treated in U.S. EDs. Injury rates increased with age, and most injuries (81.1%) were caused by falls. All persons, but especially older adults, should be aware of bathroom activities that are associated with a high risk for injury and of environmental modifications that might reduce that risk.

The highest rates were for injuries that occurred in or around the tub or shower (65.8 per 100,000) and injuries that happened on or near the toilet (22.5 per 100,000). The precipitating events in 37.3% of injuries were bathing (excluding slipping while bathing), showering, or getting out of the tub or shower; only 2.2% occurred while getting into the tub or shower. The precipitating event for 17.3% of injuries was slipping, which included slipping while bathing; 14.1% occurred when standing up from, sitting down on, or using the toilet; and 5.5% were attributed to an antecedent loss of consciousness.

The CDC article on bathroom fall injuries continues, injury rates increased with age, especially those that occurred on or near the toilet, which increased from 4.1 per 100,000 among persons aged 15–24 years to 266.6 among persons aged ≥85 years. Injuries occurring in or around the tub or shower also increased markedly, from 49.7 per 100,000 among persons aged 15–24 years to 200.2 among persons aged ≥85 years. Within each 10-year age category, the relative proportion of injuries differed by location within the bathroom. The proportion of injuries in or around the tub or shower was highest among persons aged 15–24 years (84.5%) and lowest among persons aged ≥85 years (38.9%), whereas the proportion of injuries that happened on or near the toilet was lowest among persons aged 15–24 years (7.0%) and highest among persons aged ≥85 years (51.7%).

In addition to falls in shower there are also other serious injuries which can occur in the bathroom including scalding burns from hot water in the shower or at the sink.

Falls in Shower Neglect Attorney

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Fractures from Falls in Minnesota Elder Care Facilities

Written By: Kenneth LaBore | Published On: 29th January 2017 | Category: Fall Injuries, Hoyer Lift, Inadequate Staffing/Training, Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect, Patient Lift, Wrongful Death | RSS Feed

Head Injury, Arm Fracture, Hip Fracture, Femur Fracture, Subdural Hematoma, Hip Fractures from Falls

Fractures From Falls in Nursing Homes

Many of the fractures from falls in nursing homes and other care settings are preventable had the resident received proper supervision or had their been adequate numbers of well trained staff to perform tasks such as transfers from wheelchairs and chairs, toileting, and assessment related to falls from the bed. Fractures can be very serious and due to complications can often lead to permanent injuries and disabilities or death.

Fractures From Falls From Patient Lift

Fractures From Falls From Hoyer Type Mechanical Patient Lift

One of the higher risk situations for residents of nursing homes or other elder care facilities is patient transfer from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to bed or toilet and other transfers. The use of a mechanical patient lift can assist with these transfer when done safely but can lead to serious injuries when not performed correctly. Many times accident are due to the lifts not being used or set up as directed by the manufacturer. Another reason is the failure to use the right size or proper type of sling for the patient lift. Many falls occur when the sling is not attached to the lift clips per directions.

Nursing Home and Elder Injuries and Fractures as a Result of Wheelchairs

Fractures From Falls From Wheelchairs and Chairs

Injuries from wheelchair and even reclining chairs are common in senior care environments. The injuries usually occur due to a wheelchair tips over on ramps or curbs, falls down stairs, allows the resident to slip out of the chair, the resident’s feet are allowed to drag causing leg and feet injuries and others. Residents must receive the supervision and care necessary to avoid injuries including wheelchair falls and injuries.

Nursing Home Injuries Due to Falls in Bathrooms

Fractures From Falls In Bathroom

The bathroom is an area where many types of injuries occur. Fall injuries related to a loss of balance when setting down or getting up from the toilet. Injuries from lifts on the toilet or in the shower. Injuries from slipping in the shower or entering bath or shower. Injuries also occur when dressing and undressing for baths and showering. Most injuries in the bathroom are preventable if the resident receives the patient assistance and supervision necessary to provide for their toileting and hygiene needs.

Nursing Home Falls from Bed Can Lead to Serious Injury Fractures and Death

Fractures From Falls From Bed

Although it may seem like someone is safe in their bed, vulnerable nursing home residents suffer serious fractures, head injuries and others when they fall from their bed onto the floor or hit their head or body on items near the bed such as oxygen tanks and night stands. Many of the injuries as result of falling from bed are preventable, however, nursing homes often refuse or negligently fail to provide bed rails, lower the bed height, provide safety mats or other safety interventions to protect residents at risk of falls.

Fractures From Falls are Often Medical Malpractice Cases

If you suffer an fractures from falls when a resident in a nursing home, assisted living, memory care, hospital or other medical or senior care environment the provide may be responsible in part or whole for a lack of supervision or improper use of medical equipment and other reasons. You need expert medical opinions in Minnesota to bring a lawsuit for medical malpractice and for many issues related to wrongful death claims.

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Wrongful Death From Falls in Minnesota Nursing Homes

Written By: Kenneth LaBore | Published On: 29th January 2017 | Category: Bed Rail Strangulation and Asphyxiation, Fall Injuries, Grab Bars, Patient Lift, Wrongful Death | RSS Feed

Minnesota Nursing Home Elder Abuse Wrongful Death Falls Fracture and Head Injuries

Wrongful Death From Falls Due to Elder Neglect

There are many types of elder neglect that can lead to injuries and wrongful death falls being the leading one. There are many situations when a resident of a nursing home, assisted living or other elder care facility is at risk of falls. There advanced age or diminished physical or mental capacity or need for rehabilitation helps create situations where falls may be more likely such as falls from patient lifts, wheelchairs, due to medications or existing injury or disability.

Information About Wrongful Death From Falls

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, about 1,800 people living in nursing homes die each year from falls. About 10% to 20% of nursing home falls cause serious injuries; 2% to 6% cause fractures. Falls result in disability, functional decline and reduced quality of life. Fear of falling can cause further loss of function, depression, feelings of helplessness, and social isolation.

Wrongful Death From Falls Rates CDC

One of the more serious types of fall injuries are head and neck injuries. Often residents are very frail and fall from lifts, chairs, or even the height of a bed can cause serious skull and head injuries. The swelling on the brain usually from a subdural hematoma often needs surgery such as a craniotomy to relieve the pressure and swelling. Serious falls can lead to permanent traumatic brain injury, TBI or death.

Another cause of death is related to a series of conditions related to fall injuries, such as pelvic and hip fractures. The medication, lack of mobility, stress on the system, respiratory distress and pain all lead up to a cardiac arrest.

Wrongful Death From Falls Are Preventable Accidents

According to federal law residents in nursing homes need to be assessed for risks and measures taken to protect the vulnerable adults from foreseeable accidents and related injuries such as falls, medication errors, abuse, and others. One of the more common ways residents suffer life threatening injuries is due to being dropped or falls from Hoyer type patient lifts used for transfers from bed to wheelchair and other mobility uses. Falls from wheelchairs when not in transfer are also risks due to residents slipping from chairs when not secured, tipping of the chair, curbs, ramps and stairs.

The CDC, offer the following tips on prevention of falls in nursing homes:

Assessing patients after a fall to identify and address risk factors and treat the underlying medical conditions.
Educating staff about fall risk factors and prevention strategies.
Reviewing prescribed medicines to assess their potential risks and benefits and to minimize use.
Making changes in the nursing home environment to make it easier for residents to move around safely. Such changes include putting in grab bars, adding raised toilet seats, lowering bed heights, and installing handrails in the hallways.
Providing patients with hip pads that may prevent a hip fracture if a fall occurs.
Exercise programs can improve balance, strength, walking ability, and physical functioning among nursing home residents. However, such programs do not appear to reduce falls.
Vitamin D supplementation has been shown in a number of studies to reduce falls in nursing home residents. However, vitamin D as a fall intervention remains controversial.
Teaching residents who are not cognitively impaired behavioral strategies to avoid potentially hazardous situations is a promising approach.

Wrongful Death From Falls Attorney

If you have a loved one who died from abuse and neglect leading to wrongful death contact Kenneth LaBore to get accountability. There is no fee unless there is a verdict or settlement offer from the wrongdoer. Mr. LaBore can be reached directly for a free consultation at 612-743-9048 or toll free at 1-888-452-6589 or by email at KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com.

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Hip Fractures to Minnesota Nursing Home Residents

Written By: Kenneth LaBore | Published On: 27th January 2017 | Category: Fall Injuries, Hoyer Lift, Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect, Patient Lift, Wrongful Death | RSS Feed

Minnesota Nursing Home Fall Injuries Including Hip Fractures

Most Pelvis and Hip Fractures are Due to Neglect

Many of the falls and related injuries such as pelvis or hip fractures occur when a resident is vulnerable and left without the proper supervision or assistance. The injuries are common from things that may be normally done without much risk such as getting in or out of bed, transfer from a wheelchair to bed, improper use of patient lifts, falls in showers and off toilets.

Since hip fractures are very serious and limit the amount of mobility of the patient they unfortunately can lead to other problems such as bed sores due to a lack of mobility or aggravation to the respiratory system or other problems that can lead to death.

Nursing Home Hip Fractures are Preventable

There are regulations with minimum standards designed to provide guidance to nursing homes with the hopes of reducing and/or preventing fractures as a result of falls in nursing homes. Pursuant to 42 CFR 483.25, which states in Subd. (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.

Information About Hip Fractures

According to the CDC, one of the most serious fall injuries is a broken hip. It is hard to recover from a hip fracture and afterward many people are not able to live on their own. As the U.S. population gets older, the number of hip fractures is likely to go up.

Each year over 300,000 older people—those 65 and older—are hospitalized for hip fractures.
More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually by falling sideways.
Women experience three-quarters of all hip fractures.
Women fall more often than men.
Women more often have osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break.
The chances of breaking your hip go up as you get older.

The Center For Disease Control, CDC offers a brochure on fall prevention for older adults.

Minnesota Pelvis and Hip Fracture Attorney Kenneth LaBore

If you are concerned about any type of fall in a nursing home, assisted living or other care facility in Minnesota which leads to fractures of the pelvis, hip, femur, head injury, or other fall injuries contact Attorney Kenneth LaBore for a free consultation at 612-743-9048 or toll free at 1-888-452-6589 or by email at KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com. There is no fee unless recovery by verdict or settlement with wrongdoer.

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Nursing Home Fall Injuries

Written By: Kenneth LaBore | Published On: 26th January 2017 | Category: Fall Injuries, Patient Lift, Wrongful Death | RSS Feed

Broken Leg, Fractured Hip, Head Injury, Broken Bones and Other Nursing Home Fall Injuries

Information About Nursing Home Fall Injuries

The following is a list of some blog summaries related to topics commonly associated with nursing home fall injuries written by Nursing Home Fall Injury Lawyer Kenneth LaBore. The term nursing home here is broad and really many of the situations would apply to elder care facilities such as memory care, assisted living and home care in addition to more regulated skilled nursing facilities also known as nursing homes.

Common Nursing Home Fall Injuries

Unlike complex medical conditions, infections and disease, or neglect such as medication errors, or poor practices leading to urinary tract infections, falls are almost always preventable with proper care. In fact, federal regulations make it clear that there should be falls or other alleged accidents in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities.

Here are some summaries on various topics related to nursing home falls and fractures:

Patient Lift Injuries

Wrongful Death from Falls

Fractures from Falls

Falls from Wheelchairs

Falls in Bathroom

Falls in Shower

Falls from Bed

Nursing Home Neglect Fractures

Nursing Home Fall Injuries Lawyer

If you or someone you love is in a skilled nursing facility or nursing home and suffers fall injuries contact Attorney Kenneth LaBore for a free consultation to discuss the fall or injuries and he does not charge a fee unless there is a verdict or settlement offer with the wrongdoer. Call Kenneth LaBore at 612-743-9048 or toll free at 1-888-452-6589 or send an email to KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com.

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Free Consultation on Issues of Elder Abuse and Neglect Serving all of Minnesota Toll Free 1-888-452-6589

Client of Gondola Group Home Care Falls in Shower When Left Unattended

Written By: Kenneth LaBore | Published On: 15th January 2017 | Category: Fall Injuries, Home Health Care | RSS Feed

Head Injury After Client Falls in Shower at Gondola Group in Rosemount

Substantiated Complaint of Neglect Against Gondola Group

In a report from the Minnesota Department of Health dated October 18, 2016, it was alleged that a client of Gondola Group in Rosemount was neglected when s/he had a fall in shower and sustained several vertebrae fractures.

Fall in Shower Leads to MDH Complaint

Based upon a preponderance of the evidence, neglect is substantiated. The home care provider staff left a client unattended in the shower, and the client fell and experienced cervical fractures.

The client was admitted to the home care provider with diagnoses that included dementia, syncope with collapse, and cerebral ischemia (lack of oxygen to the brain). The client had a known history of fainting related to heart problems. The client’s nursing assessment indicated the client required assistance of one person for transfers, ambulation, and showering.

The facility policy required staff members providing showers to remain in the bathroom during the shower, if the client was a full assist. The staff were required to review each client’s service plan. The service plans were accessible to staff.

The day of the incident, the client was sitting on a shower chair in a bath tub with a raised edge. The client requested to wash his/her own body and hair. The staff member handed the client a wash cloth, then left the client unattended in the shower. The staff member stated s/he left to go into the client’s room, which was located across the hallway from the bathroom, to gather clothes. The client got out of the shower unassisted, began to dry her/himself, and fell. When the staff member heard a loud noise and entered the bathroom, s/he saw the client lying on the floor bleeding from the back of the head. The staff member pressed a towel to the head wound, called 911, and send the client to the hospital. The staff member notified the registered nursing and the client’s family.

At the hospital, the client was found to have neck fractures and was treated with surgery, and required pins for stability and neck brace. The client returned to the home care provider after his/her hospitalization. The client required daily pin care, and the brace restricted head and upper body movement. Three months later, the pins were removed and client remained in a neck brace.

During an interview, the client stated s/he was often left alone during showers. S/he stated staff usually helped him/her onto the shower chair, turned on the water, and then would leave to gather his/her things. On the day of the incident, the client stated s/he remembers falling head first, but then could not remember anything else until s/he was at the hospital.

During staff interviews, a nurse stated s/he told staff not to leave clients alone in the shower and to only provide showers when two staff members were in the facility, but s/he also said a/he was aware that some staff were providing showers to clients when there was only one staff member on duty.

During an interview, the client’s family member stated the injuries from the fall had been difficult on the client. The family member explained that while the client was in the neck brace with pins, s/he had to lay in one position and was uncomfortable for three months. Since the client was unable to get up unassisted, the family member stated s/he provided the client with a bell to alert staff of his/her needs. The client has had to be in a hard neck brace for another three months and a soft neck brace for an additional three months.

During an interview, the alleged perpetrator (AP) stated the client liked doing tasks independently and often asked to wash his/her own hair and body. S/he stated usually the client would wait until the shower until staff could assist the client out. The AP state s/he knew s/he was supposed to stay with the client, but was not aware , at the time of the incident, of the client’s fall risk and history of fainting.

For more information from the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints concerning nursing homes, assisted living, home care and other elder care providers view resolved complaints at the MDH website.

If you have concerns about improper use of medical equipment, falls or any other form of elder abuse or neglect contact Minnesota Elder Abuse Attorney Kenneth LaBore at 612-743-9048 or toll free at 1-888-452-6589 or by email at KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com.

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Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Neglect – Fall From Shower Chair – Medication Administration Error

Written By: Kenneth LaBore | Published On: 11th March 2015 | Category: Caregivers Resources, Failure to Resond to Change in Condition, Fall Injuries, Medication Administration Mistakes | RSS Feed

In a report from the MDH it is alleged that a resident was neglected when the alleged perpetrator (AP) administered incorrect medications resulting in hospitalization from narcotic overdose.

Based on a preponderance of evidence, neglect was not substantiated. However, federal and state citations were issued related to the medication error. The alleged perpetrator (AP) administered another resident’s medication to the resident. The resident was sent to the hospital for narcotic overdose and returned to the facility two days later.

Neglect of Health Care, Falls, Failure to Assist in Bathroom, Shower Chair Injury Cuyuna Regional Medical Center

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Complaint Findings for Neglect

In a report concluded on January 8, 2014, the Minnesota Department of Health cites Cuyuna Regional Medical Center for neglect of health care.

It is alleged that neglect occurred when a resident had a fall with injuries from a shower chair when the chair fell backwards due to a back wheel coming off. Staff had noted a shower chair with wheel concerns two or three weeks earlier.

Based on preponderance of evidence neglect is substantiated when staff noted the same shower chair wheel was faulty when used at least two weeks prior to a resident falling and striking his/her head on the floor. When the shower chair wheel was noted to be faulty, the staff did not notify the maintenance department to inspect or repair the chair. The resident was in the shower chair when the wheel broke causing him/her to fall and sustain a subdural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The facility also had no policy in place to identify, inspect and maintain shower chairs.

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Complaint Findings for Neglect – Falls

In another report concluded on August 8, 2013, the Minnesota Department of Health cites Cuyuna Regional Medical Center for neglect of health care – falls.

It is alleged that neglect occurred when a resident fell and fractured the resident’s hip after the alleged perpetrator (AP) left the resident alone in the bathroom.

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center – Neglect – Lack of Response to Change in Condition

In a third report concluded on June 7, 2011, the Minnesota Department of Health cites Cuyuna Regional Medical Center for neglect of health care.

Allegation(s): the allegation is neglect based on the following: staff did not arrange for medical evaluation in a timely manner for Resident #1 when he had a condition change. In addition, when the resident experienced pain and bleeding with a catheter insertion, the staff did not remove the catheter and/or consult with the resident’s physician.

For more information from the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints concerning nursing homes, assisted living and other elder care providers view resolved complaints at the MDH website.

If you have concerns about neglect of health care, injuries from wheelchair or other medical equipment, falls, fractures or any other form of elder abuse or neglect contact Elder Abuse Attorney Kenneth LaBore toll free at 1-888-452-6589 or by email at KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com

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Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer Kenneth LaBore Offers Free Consultations and Serves Clients Throughout the State of Minnesota Call Toll Free at 1-888-452-6589