We speak a lot about nursing home abuse and neglect because we do not wish any Washington State resident to suffer, especially the elderly. However, sometimes an elderly person can be doted on and treated very well in a nursing home and still become a victim. It is a sad fact that medical malpractice can happen anywhere and nursing homes are no exception. When you take into account the overall fragility of nursing home patients, you can see that even a small medical mistake could lead to unspeakable tragedy.
Most patients who live in a nursing home do not undergo serious procedures in this environment. Typically, the patient will be transported to a hospital if an operation or other procedure is required. However some services and treatments are allowed such as assistance administering drugs. If this is not done correctly through negligence or willfulness, it may be considered medical malpractice in the state of Washington.
Further, restraining a nursing home patient either physically or by way of chemicals or medications is a very gray area. It is frowned upon, yet it is not necessarily illegal. If the patient becomes injured in any way through the use of physical or chemical restraints, it could be a case of medical malpractice.
The point is, we all want the best of care for our elderly loved ones. A big part of this is making sure these vulnerable Americans remain free from accidental or intentional harm in a medical situation. We urge you to watch your elder carefully if he or she resides in a nursing home. If you do see signs of malpractice, you should immediately take steps to ensure the safety of your elder. You may also want to talk with a lawyer about a potential medical malpractice lawsuit for your loved one.
