Nursing home residents often rely on medical directors to ensure quality care. However, one study shows that the medical director's absence is an ongoing problem in many facilities.
Researchers found that during the first quarter of 2023, more than a third of nursing homes in the U.S. didn't have on-site medical directors. That's despite regulations requiring their presence. This raises serious questions about the quality of care in these facilities.
Medical directors are responsible for overseeing the health and well-being of residents. Without their on-site presence, many nursing homes struggle to provide the standard of care their residents deserve. This often leads to cases of nursing home neglect.
Understanding the issue
Not all nursing homes are created equal, and the type of ownership seems to play a big role in whether facilities have active medical directors. According to the study:
- For-profit nursing homes report having medical director time 61.4% of the time
- Non-profit facilities reported having a medical director 71.3%
- Government-owned facilities reported having a medical director 66.5%
The average on-site time was just 36 minutes per day—amounting to 4.2 hours per week. For an average-sized nursing home, this equates to less than one minute per resident per day.
How is the problem being addressed?
This new study comes at a time when nursing homes are also facing pressure from recent requirements issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve staffing levels. CMS has mandated minimum nurse staffing levels, including requiring an RN to be on-site 24/7.
However, these changes have faced backlash from the industry, with some arguing that these rules are too stringent and difficult to implement.
Despite nursing home operators' complaints, patient advocates have pointed out that the staffing requirements still don't go far enough to protect residents. Many argue that without consistent oversight from medical directors, the risk of poor outcomes remains high.
Why is having medical directors on-site so important?
Medical directors ensure that nursing home residents receive personalized attention based on their health needs, preferences, and abilities. Without adequate oversight, residents may suffer from poorer outcomes, including a greater risk of falls, increased hospitalizations, and even premature death.
According to Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition and a co-author of the study, medical directors' lack of involvement raises serious concerns about the adequacy of resident care.
Medical directors are supposed to address problems as they arise—whether that means tackling infection control issues, preventing unnecessary medication use, or managing residents with dementia. Their presence is supposed to prevent avoidable problems.
However, with so few medical directors spending time on-site, infections, pressure ulcers, and substandard dementia care become problematic.
What can be done to improve nursing home oversight?
Enforcing these regulations and demanding accountability from nursing home owners is necessary if we want to see real improvements. The presence of a qualified medical director should not be a box to check off—it should be a commitment to quality, safety, and the dignity of every person who calls a nursing home their home.
If your loved one was harmed due to nursing home neglect, you may be feeling overwhelmed, confused, and unsure of what steps to take next. The nursing home may deny any wrongdoing, and your loved one might struggle to recall the events. The attorneys at Johnson Greer Law Group in Decatur, Georgia, believe no family should bear this pain and uncertainty alone.
Our experienced legal team can investigate what happened, hold the negligent nursing home accountable, and seek justice for your loved one. We have a strong track record of success handling cases involving nursing home negligence, including:
- $405,000 for abuse and neglect at a nursing home.
- $650,000 for elder abuse and wrongful death recovery.
- $405,000 for abuse and neglect at an assisted living facility.
We handle nursing home abuse and neglect cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. When you work with us, you can expect personalized, compassionate attention every step of the way. Contact us online or call our Decatur law office to schedule your free consultation today, and let us help you protect the health and dignity of your loved one.