Influence of Staffing Ratios in Acute Care Settings

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Influence of Staffing Ratios in Acute Care Settings

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Shortages of nursing staff in acute care settings such as hospitals is a major concern at the core of healthcare. Studies funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality show that hospitals who have a shortage of nursing staff tend to have, “higher rates of poor patient outcomes such as pneumonia, shock, cardiac arrest, and urinary tract infections.” When patients seek treatment from health care facilities for serious surgeries and procedures, they expect to be cared for with accuracy. However, when hospitals are short staffed, it can be difficult for the staff to care properly for these procedures, causing increases of neglect among patients. When patients are not properly care for, the results can be devastating to a person and their family.  

If you or a loved one experienced complications at a hospital after a surgery or procedure, you may want to consider calling an Illinois medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Major signs to look out for after a surgery that are likely the cause of a medical mistake or lack of preventative care are

• Infections such as MRSA
• Urinary Tract Infections post-surgery
• Bed sores
• Falls
• Sudden death

Call Malman Law today to learn about your legal right to compensation for serious injury, further treatment, time off work, and pain and suffering.