As the saying goes, "cleanliness is next to godliness." This is especially true in medical care facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes. While most institutions have a high standard of cleanliness, some nursing homes fail to make hygiene a priority. Poor sanitization can take on many forms. Many times, staff will fail to clean the bathrooms and showers. Most homes use communal bathrooms, meaning that many different men and women with medical issues are sharing one shower or toilet. If these places are not sterilized, it leads to an overwhelming amount of germs and can spread illnesses from person to person. Because senior citizens often suffer from low immune systems, this creates more illness.
Nursing homes should also have spotless kitchens. Any place where food is prepared should be routinely decontaminated and wiped down. All dishes and silverware must be washed properly and thoroughly, and all garbage must be removed. A nursing home kitchen should be as sanitary as a restaurant one. As well, nursing home staff must be conscious to wipe down and disinfect common items. For example, all counters, chairs, railings, and table tops should be cleaned many times a day. These are surfaces are touched by many people, and staff should strive to avoid spreading germs between patients by cleaning them thoroughly.
Another important aspect of cleanliness is removing all clutter and imposing objects. Seniors often have a difficult time getting around, and may suffer from poor eyesight. If items are left on the floor or in walkway areas, they could cause a senior to trip and fall. Due to brittle bones, the consequence of falling as a senior can result in breaks or fractures. Make sure that your nursing home of choice has excellent ventilation. Some nursing homes fail to keep their building well-ventilated, resulting in stuffy and often odorous rooms. This can result in a multiplicity of airborne bacteria. Residence areas must also be kept tidy.
Most seniors in a nursing home are not able to clean on their own, so it is the staff's responsibility to carefully scrub and t organize their patient's living spaces. If they do not keep resident areas tidy, it can result in germ accumulation, or insect and rodent infestation. Psychologists have found that a clean atmosphere has a positive psychological effect that can even motivate people towards good health. On the other hand, dirty environments have an opposite effect, and can trigger depression and other medical illnesses.
Not only should staff maintain purity in the building, but with their patients. Many elderly men and women in homes are not capable of washing themselves, and will need the aid of a nurse to keep clean. When nurses neglect this responsibility, it can cause serious health recession for patients. Bed ulcers are the direct result of unclean skin, and patients who wear diapers can develop other medical issues from being neglected. These concerns should not be taken lightly; it is a form of senior abuse to neglect an elder in need of attention. Sadly, some nursing homes are guilty of this crime.
Nurses should wash their hands between tending to patients, in order to keep from spreading illness throughout the building. It is also important that the nursing home provide disinfectant wipes or sprays so that everything will be rid of bacteria. If you are looking for a nursing home for your loved one, you want to make sure that it is tidy and germ free. It is important that your senior is in a healthy and reliable environment where he or she can enjoy the atmosphere. If you have discovered a nursing home that is not abiding by ideal sanitation standards, you should contact a nursing home malpractice lawyer in order to report your observations and fight for the rights of the elderly.