Placing loved ones in a nursing home often comes with the expectation of proper care and supervision, but unfortunately, that is not always the case.
Utilizing technology is one way to begin holding nursing home workers accountable for their actions. The installation of surveillance cameras provides continuous monitoring of the residents' activities as well as any interactions with staff.
Nursing homes are beginning to use many other forms of technology to improve interactions between staff and residents and make it easier to monitor vital signs.
Improving Communication with Technology
During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was difficult to visit our loved ones, especially those residing in a nursing home. Nursing homes began installing stand-alone video chat devices to help the families and patients stay connected during some of the most difficult times. Seniors residing in nursing homes found using this technology to stay in touch with their loved ones was incredibly easy to use with little to no experience.
Monitoring and Surveillance in Nursing Homes
While installing surveillance is one of the most effective methods of mitigating abuse within nursing homes, there are privacy concerns to take into account.
Most facilities use security cameras to strictly monitor common areas, parking lots, and exits. Varying laws and policies in each state will determine if cameras can be placed in your loved one’s room. Installing cameras in resident rooms would provide another layer of security and protection for the resident. Some facilities believe that placing a camera in a resident’s room is an invasion of privacy.
Improving Resident Safety
Remote monitoring via cameras would create a quicker response time for residents in need of medical attention. Monitoring systems could also detect falls, wandering residents, and even deter the possibility of abuse or neglect. In the event of abuse or neglect of a patient by staff or other residents, having live camera footage could help in investigations or disputes.
Devices For Elder Safety
Wearable devices that provide real-time monitoring of residents are now being used to help track patient’s locations, activities, sleep patterns, and vital signs such as irregularities in heart rate. Typically, in the form of a smart watch, the data provided can alert caregivers to potential health concerns and emergencies.
Electronic Health Records
Electronic health records (EHRs) play a crucial role in enhancing transparency and accountability within nursing homes by revolutionizing how medical information is managed and shared.
These digital systems not only offer convenient access to residents’ comprehensive medical histories, prescriptions, and personalized care plans but also meticulously document every facet of a resident’s healthcare journey.
One of the most significant advantages of EHRs is their ability to reveal discrepancies or potential neglect in treatment. By maintaining detailed records of medications administered, vital signs monitored, and therapies prescribed, these systems act as a safeguard against errors or omissions in patient care.
This transparency not only ensures that residents receive the intended treatment but also assists with intervention in case of any oversight.
EHRs facilitate seamless communication among healthcare providers involved in a resident’s care. By centralizing medical information in a secure digital format, these systems enable doctors, nurses, therapists, and other staff members to stay updated on the latest developments in real-time.
This interconnectedness ensures that all members of the care team are well-informed and can collaborate effectively to deliver coordinated care.
How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help
Nursing home abuse is a concern within society that affects some of our most vulnerable people.
Elder abuse can range from physical abuse to psychological trauma. Employing a nursing home abuse lawyer can help individuals affected by nursing home abuse or neglect, by holding facilities and staff members accountable.
Nursing home abuse can have devastating consequences for victims. Physical and psychological trauma can be long-lasting, and in the worst cases, abuse can be fatal.
Whether you’re looking to schedule a free consultation, or simply want to know if you have a case, don’t hesitate to reach out to Steve Watrel: The Nursing Home Abuse Expert.
