The safety of residents in nursing homes and other residential care centres is dependent on the right systems and supports being in place. The rate of compliance is generally very high amongst Irish Nursing Homes as most providers want to ensure the highest levels of care for their residents.
However, there are safety challenges facing residential care providers that don’t apply to any other sector because the service users are either elderly or unwell, or both. Whether it’s long-term care, respite care, convalescent or palliative care, these safety issues apply across all levels of care.
Below are five common challenges to health and safety in Irish nursing homes and long-term care facilities:
1. Medication Management
Medication management is essential for resident health and safety in a nursing home. This includes everything from how medication is stored for each resident e.g. labelling, refrigeration, discarding expired medication, how it’s received from pharmacies and kept secure, to how well it’s administered to each resident when needed.
Non-compliance with medication storage and handling are criteria assessed by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) during a site inspection. There can be severe consequences including illness and death for incorrect dosages or missed medications, so it is crucial that medication protocols are adhered to at all times.
Consider using automated medication dispensing systems and always ensure that care home staff have robust records such as electronic medication administration records (eMAR).
2. Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Plans
Emergency preparedness addresses a persistent challenge to health and safety in a nursing home. Fire or flooding are possibly the most likely emergencies, consequently, every care home is required to have an actionable evacuation plan in the event of such an incident.
HIQA inspections have on occasion deemed residential care homes to be non-compliant in this area, indicating that emergency preparedness can sometimes overlooked. The safety of residents, staff and visitors is paramount so it stands to reason that an emergency response plan, routine fire drills and evacuation training are vital procedures for any nursing home.
3. Resident Wandering and Elopement Risk
Elopement is another common challenge for Irish elderly care facilities. This particularly applies to residents with dementia who may be inclined to wander and potentially put themselves, or others, at risk of harm.
Care home staff must be trained on the risks of elopement, and a wander management strategy encompassing wander monitoring systems, door alarms and motion sensors should be implemented. When properly designed, these solutions will enhance resident safety while still allowing freedom of movement and maintaining dignity.
An effective wander management system will alert staff when an at-risk resident attempts to leave a protected area. The exit can then be secured if necessary and the resident can be assisted by a member of staff.
4. Fall Prevention
One of the most common safety risks in any elderly care setting is falling. Falls can result in serious injuries with long term consequences for the individual. One in three older people fall every year and two-thirds of those will fall again within six months.
Injuries arising from falls can require hospitalisation for hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries and upper limb injuries. Fear of falling again can also have a detrimental effect on the person’s mental health and overall wellbeing.
The risk factors that contribute to falls can include slippery floors, inappropriate footwear, not enough handrails, insufficient lighting, poor eyesight as well as physical and cognitive decline as people age.
Nursing homes can implement a multi-faceted approach to fall prevention that includes environmental modifications, medication reviews, regular exercise and balance training, as well as risk assessment, staff training and response protocols.
A thorough fall management strategy should also incorporate resident-specific interventions such as medication reviews, vision and hearing checks, assistive devices such as walking aids, bed and chair alarms, non-slip footwear, hydration, nutrition and balance training.
5. Infection Control and Hygiene
Reducing the spread of illness and infection is paramount to nursing home safety and for the health of residents. With residents living in close proximity to one another and sharing communal spaces, there are many opportunities for infections to spread if proper hygiene protocols are not in place.
Key practices include hand hygiene, effective cleaning and disinfection, waste management, wearing appropriate personal protective clothing (PPE) and the vigilance of care staff.
Frequently touched surfaces, equipment and rooms should be regularly cleaned and disinfected. Systems should be in place for managing soiled linen as well as blood and body fluid spillages. Safe injection practices and the management of care equipment are also key considerations.
To prevent the spread of infection, it is important to provide tissues and hand sanitiser in communal areas and it may be necessary to isolate residents who are unwell. On-going training for staff on effective infection control practices and educating residents and visitors on the importance of infection prevention are also central to maintaining a safe environment.
Improve Nursing Home Safety with solutions from SVC
Nursing home safety is dependent on having effective protocols in place. It also helps to have solutions that address some of the most common safety risks, such as resident falls and wandering behaviour.
SVC Care Communications is Ireland’s leading supplier of Nurse Call, Fall Management and Resident Wander solutions. Contact us today for further information or to arrange a no-obligation consultation.
Trevor Lucey is SVC’s Managing Director. Having been with the company since its inception in 1994, Trevor worked on installations and project management before he took over as the Managing Director in 2014. Under his management, SVC has seen significant growth, with on-demand, on-budget projects. With extensive knowledge of communications technology for the healthcare sector and unparalleled expertise in system design and implementation, Trevor is our go-to for custom solutions for each client.
