Maintenance of Equipment
Caring for an individual in a nursing home or assisted living center goes beyond simply caring for their medical needs and their health. Another important aspect in caring for an individual is ensuring that the equipment used in a nursing home or assisted living center is functioning properly and is adequate for the safety of the individual. There are many types of equipment that residents of nursing home require not only for health purposes but ambulatory purposes as well. Some of these things include:
- Shower chairs
- Manual and electric wheelchairs
- Toilet safety rails and toilet seats
- Patient lifts
- Physical therapy equipment
- Diabetic testing supplies
- Blood pressure monitors
- Oxygen carts
One other necessary piece of equipment that is required in any nursing home is a defibrillator to prevent cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is the number one cause of death among residents in a nursing home or assisted living center. Therefore, it is vital that a nursing home have defibrillators at hand for all residents of the facility. Even if a resident does not show signs of heart disease or any factors contributing to cardiac arrest, it is still very important to have a defibrillator at hand in case of emergency.
Many residents that live in assisted living centers often require a moderate amount of assistance, especially if they have a physical disability which limits their function of daily activities. For things such as bathing, toileting and other personal hygiene activities, their physical handicaps often prevent them from performing these activities independent of any assistance. Therefore it is very important that individuals with physical disabilities receive a high level of care and assistance as they could potentially suffer from falls or other injuries. Depending on the physical handicap, some physically handicapped individuals require more assistance than others.
In the case of individuals with spinal cord injuries, some individuals suffer from more debilitating disorders and handicaps than others. This is because each individual suffers from injuries in varying parts of the spinal cord. Individuals with injuries to the upper areas of the spinal cord often suffer from certain mental disorders because electrical signals cannot be sent to the brain properly and allow it to function fully. In contrast, individuals with injuries to the lower areas of the spine only suffer from physical disabilities and only require assistance in a wheelchair. For these individuals with physical disabilities, it is very important that ambulatory equipment such as patient lifts and equipment for bathing and toileting are in working order.
If the proper measures are taken to ensure the care of your loved one, there should be no reason for them to suffer any injury as a result of inadequate equipment in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Contact an Arizona Nursing Home Advocate Attorney
Preventive measures are not always followed by employees in nursing homes; An Arizona Attorney in the Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale and Maricopa County communities can provide legal information if a loved one or someone you know has sustained injuries because of negligence and improper safety measures in a facility. For more information see www.nursinghomeadvocates.com.
