By Garret DeReus
When nursing homes fail to maintain comprehensive policies and procedures, residents face increased risks of injuries, neglect, and substandard care. The lack of policies or procedures can lead to devastating consequences for vulnerable residents and their families. This article explores one of Louisiana’s regulations on nursing home policies and procedures, and why said regulations are important for resident safety and well-being.
The Critical Role of Nursing Home Policies and Procedures
Nursing home policies and procedures serve as the foundation for quality resident care. These written guidelines ensure consistency in care delivery, establish clear expectations for staff, and create accountability mechanisms. Well-developed policies help prevent:
- Medication errors through standardized administration protocols
- Pressure ulcers by establishing regular repositioning schedules
- Falls by implementing proper assessment and prevention measures
- Malnutrition through dietary monitoring requirements
- Infections via proper sanitation and wound care procedures
When properly implemented, these policies create a structured environment where residents receive consistent, high-quality care that promotes their health and safety.
Louisiana’s Legal Requirements for Nursing Home Policies
Louisiana law contains regulations for nursing home policies and procedures. Under Louisiana Revised Statute 48:9761, nursing facilities must maintain written policies that are readily available to staff, residents, and legal representatives. These policies must:
- Cover all areas of care and services provided by the facility
- Ensure each resident receives necessary care to promote their highest level of functioning
- Be developed with input from professional staff, including a licensed physician, administrator, and director of nursing
- Undergo annual review and revision as needed
- Address total medical and psychosocial needs, including admission, transfer, and discharge planning
- Receive approval from the facility’s governing body
The law’s requirement for policies and procedures covering “all areas of care and services” is comprehensive: “There shall be written policies and procedures … governing all areas of care and services provided by the nursing facility[.]” Nursing homes provide a variety of services that would seemingly be encompassed by said rule, including medication administration, meal service, wound care, recreational activities, etc.
The Impact of Inadequate Policies and Procedures
When nursing homes fail to establish and maintain proper policies and procedures, the consequences can be severe.
The absence of proper policies can create significant problems in daily care delivery. Staff members, working without clear guidelines, may handle similar situations differently, potentially leading to inconsistent care quality. Different shifts might develop varying informal systems for monitoring residents at risk of falls, rather than following standardized protocols. Tasks that would typically be governed by written policies – such as skin assessments or mobility assistance – may be overlooked or performed inconsistently when staff lack proper procedural guidance.
These problems are compounded by communication failures across shifts and departments. Without standardized reporting procedures, critical information about changes in resident condition may never reach the appropriate healthcare providers. A resident’s increasing confusion, decreased appetite, or new skin breakdown might go unreported or be communicated inconsistently between staff members. These communication breakdowns may result in delayed interventions and missed opportunities to prevent serious complications. The lack of clear policies may force staff to guess about what information needs to be shared and how – a dangerous situation in healthcare settings where precise communication can mean the difference between life and death.
The absence of clear policies creates an environment where mistakes are more likely to occur and resident needs may be overlooked. This may result in serious injuries, declining health, and diminished quality of life for vulnerable residents.
Taking Action to Protect Your Loved Ones
If your family member has suffered harm in a Louisiana nursing home due to inadequate policies and procedures or substandard care, you may want to speak with an attorney to learn about your rights. At Bizer & DeReus, our experienced attorneys understand how to investigate these cases and hold facilities accountable for failing to maintain proper standards of care.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your situation. Our firm has a proven track record of successful litigation in federal courts throughout Louisiana, including a recent six-figure jury verdict in the Western District of Louisiana. Call 504-619-9999 or email Garret DeReus at [email protected] for a free consultation.
We are committed to improving care standards across Louisiana’s healthcare facilities and ensuring nursing homes fulfill their legal and ethical obligations to residents.