Understaffing in Wisconsin Nursing Homes

Understaffing is often a problem in nursing homes. When there are not enough staff on hand, workers are often overworked and unable to devote enough care and attention to each patient, allowing opportunity for injuries and illness to develop.

If you have noticed a decrease in the level of your loved ones care because of a lack of staff support, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Milwaukee nursing home abuse lawyers offer free case evaluations to discuss your loved ones legal rights. Do not hesitate to contact us today if you suspect abuse or neglect.

As reported by WSAW-TV, Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill is currently facing this exact problem. The facility is stretched too thin with its slim number of current Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).

According to the director of the facility, the current staff simply is not enough. However, she believes there are a number of barriers to increasing the number of CNAs, including the fact that their average pay throughout the state is too low and that there is no financial aid available to take the CNA course.

She has called for help from Senator Tom Tiffany. His goal is to call for more flexibility from the government to help distribute an increase in wages to Wisconsin workers in hopes of creating more of an incentive for people to enter this line of work.

The Importance of Proper Staffing

In Wisconsin, nursing home facilities are required to provide at least 2.5 direct hours of care to each resident. As the ratio between the number of staff and residents grows, so too does the likelihood for neglect and abuse. The consequences of nursing home understaffing can vary depending on each patients needs.

Residents are dependent on staff for all of lifes necessities, including food, bathing and medication. When they do not receive their required care, they can suffer from malnutrition, missed or improperly administered medication, and illness or infection.

Immobile patients may not get the attention they need to be turned and moved so as to prevent bed sores, muscle atrophy and other painful skin conditions.

Call 877-877-2228 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form.