The national study on long-term care, released June 19 by AARP, the Commonwealth Fund and the SCAN Foundation, show problems with the quality of care provided to residents of New Jersey’s nursing homes.
According to the report, New Jersey ranks second-worst in the country for the percentage of high-risk nursing home residents diagnosed with pressure ulcers, or bed sores. This ailment, which is the result of prolonged lying or sitting, can often be prevented by regular turning of the patient and proper positioning. In nursing homes, this work is typically done by certified nursing assistants — or CNAs — who are responsible for most direct, bedside care.
It’s no coincidence that New Jersey’s nursing homes are failing to prevent bed sores at a time when CNA staffing levels are significantly below national standards. NJ received an “F”; in this area from Families for Better Care, a nonprofit citizen advocacy group and industry watchdog. The organization found that “New Jersey nursing home residents may be hard pressed to locate a caregiver when needing help as the state ranks near the bottom in direct care staffing hours.”Staffing crisis jeopardizes patient care in NJ nursing homes: Opinion | NJ.com:
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