According to a 2008 poll conducted by the American Nurses Association, 73% of nurses polled do not believe the staffing on their unit or shift is sufficient. Over 10,000 nurses nationwide were surveyed. The survey also found the following:
• 59.8% of the nurses polled knew of someone who left direct care nursing due to concerns about safe staffing;
• Of the 51.9% of nurses polled who are considering leaving their current position, 46% cite inadequate staffing as the reason;
• 51.7% of the nurses polled opined that the quality of nursing care on their unit has declined in the last year; and • 48.2% of the nurses polled would not feel confident having someone close to them receiving care in the facility where they work.
ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, explained in a recent press release, “Safe nurse staffing has been linked to more positive patient outcomes, decreased length of
hospital stay, and decreased number of medical errors and patient falls. It has also been shown to improve nurse satisfaction and decrease burnout, both significant factors contributing to nurses leaving the profession.”
The New York Elder Abuse Attorneys at the Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC have successfully represented many victims of abuse and neglect whose main complaint about their nursing home or hospital was understaffing. We have seen first-hand, that short-staffing can result in falls/fractures, bedsores (pressure sores, pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcers), malnutrition and dehydration, and or abuse.
If you or a loved one is being neglected due to a facility’s decision not to hire an appropriate number of nurses and/or nurse’s aides, please contact us for a free consultation.
