• 08
  • December
    2011

The Medical Daily reports that researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, recently conducted a study on the nation's 10 largest for-profit nursing homes and noted that they provide the lowest quality of care. The report indicates that these for-profit nursing homes have higher incidents of nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect.

In a comparative analysis among the largest and smallest for-profit nursing home chains, for-profit individual homes, non-profit homes and government nursing homes, it was noted that for-profit nursing home chains had less staff, including nurses, and a higher number of deficiencies.

The deficiencies noted are classified as nursing home neglect and nursing home abuse and include the failure to prevent pressure sores, infections, weight loss and falls. In addition, these facilities were cited for poor sanitary conditions and resident mistreatment. The end result is that patient care takes a back seat when it comes to making a profit for these for-profit nursing home facilities.

The fact that recent Medicare cuts have been made may very well mean even a greater number of cutbacks for these chains, which most likely will result in even a higher number of incidents of nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect.

Many nursing homes rely on Medicare paying them for providing care. Without Medicare coverage, some will deny residents and others will simply make cutbacks, resulting in even fewer staff members and an even poorer care outcome.

Source: Medical Daily, "Largest for-profit nursing homes have lowest quality care: study" Nov. 30, 2011