Nursing homes are medical facilities. One of their most important responsibilities is to make sure residents get the medications and medical treatment they need. And medical directors play an important role in ensuring that this responsibility is met.
Unfortunately, in more than a third of American nursing homes, the medical director is never actually there.
Medical director time varies by location, type of facility
A recent study looked at nursing homes across the United States in the first quarter of 2023. According to the study, 36.1% of nursing homes reported zero medical director presence. The problem was even worse in for-profit nursing homes, with 38.6% of such facilities reporting no medical director time. In comparison, government-owned and non-profit facilities were somewhat more likely to have a medical director on-site.
And even among those facilities with an on-site medical director, the situation isn’t much better. The average amount of time those directors spend at the facility is only 4.2 hours per week – at most facilities, that’s less than one minute per resident per day.
Without medical supervisors on site, resident care suffers
One of a medical director’s most important responsibilities is to ensure that every resident has an individualized care plan that meets their specific needs. An effective care plan minimizes risks to residents; conversely, a poor care plan increases the risk of falls, injuries, hospitalizations, and even death.
Some of the safety risks associated with a lack of medical director time include:
- Infection control violations
- Untreated pressure ulcers (bedsores)
- Poor care for residents with dementia or Alzheimer's
- Unnecessary use of drugs (chemical restraints)
Without an effective and experienced medical director on-site, nursing home residents are at elevated risk of medical neglect, medication errors, and other forms of substandard care. When facilities are also short on nurses and direct care staff, these problems are only compounded, leaving residents vulnerable to severe and even fatal injuries.
When choosing a nursing home, pay attention to the medical director
If you are considering placing your loved one in a nursing home, you need to be confident that the nursing home will meet his or her medical needs.
As part of your evaluation of the nursing home, ask who the medical director is, whether you can meet with them, and how much time they spend on-site. Ask about the process to create and update your loved one’s care plan and make sure you can stay involved in their care. If you aren’t fully comfortable that a facility will be able to provide the level of care your loved one needs, look elsewhere.
Unfortunately, far too many families are left to pick up the pieces after a loved one is harmed by nursing home neglect or abuse. If you are in this situation, we can help. Reach out to Shuttlesworth Law Firm, P.C. today for a free consultation. We are based in Birmingham and serve families throughout Alabama.
"From the beginning of case to the very end Perry, Misty and the staff kept us fully informed of the process. They were very helpful, thoughtful, compassionate and knowledgeable. If you're in need of a great attorney I recommend Shuttlesworth Law Firm." - Sandra C.
