Recent action by New York State officials concerning a Syracuse nursing home has put a spotlight on the problem of understaffing in nursing homes. A report from the State Department of Health showed years of abuse, neglect and abysmal care at the Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing. In addition, the facility was fined $12 million after investigators found that money intended for resident care had been diverted by the owners, leaving the facility critically understaffed.
According to reports, the Department of Health investigation linked the inadequate staffing levels in the facility to unsafe conditions, preventable injuries, hospitalizations and a resident’s death. In that case, the lack of staffing deprived the vulnerable resident of assistance she needed with her basic daily tasks, leading to an unobserved fall that turned fatal.
The Van Duyn investigation highlights how staffing decisions are not merely administrative choices but factors that directly affect resident safety and well-being. When facilities operate with too few caregivers, the residents’ basic needs are often delayed or outright ignored. Common risks associated with nursing home understaffing include:
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Delayed assistance with toileting, bathing or mobility, increasing the risk of falls and infections
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Missed or rushed meals, leading to dehydration and malnutrition
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Inadequate monitoring of medical conditions, leading to infections or worsened health
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Slower response times during emergencies when staff are overwhelmed
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Medication errors or critical delays in the receipt of necessary medication
What’s more, the harm isn’t just limited to physical injuries alone. In understaffed facilities, residents may spend long periods alone, experience increased confusion or anxiety, or show signs of withdrawal.
Families of nursing home residents need to be alert to the warning signs that understaffing may be a problem. Potential red flags include:
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Call lights are frequently going unanswered.
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Residents are being left in soiled clothing or bedding.
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A patient experiences unexplained weight loss or dehydration.
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A patient has worsening bedsores or frequent falls.
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The staff seems unavailable or unable to answer basic questions.
If a family member loved one has been injured in a nursing home and you suspect understaffing is a factor, a nursing home abuse and negligence attorney can help you assess whether the nursing home failed to meet proper standards of care and can explain available remedies. Early legal intervention is the best way to stop ongoing neglect and hold a facility accountable before more injuries occur.
The law firm of Rich & Rich, P.C. represents New York victims of nursing home neglect and abuse. We have offices in midtown Manhattan and Roslyn Heights, Long Island. Call us at 917-852-0933 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.