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Virginia nursing homes can do more to improve safety

A new study shows that nursing homes can learn more about creating "safety culture" from other health care institutions. The biggest safety risks at nursing homes are the wandering and elopement of patients.

The study appears in the Journal of Applied Gerontology, February 2011, Vol. 30 No. 1, 22-43, and is entitled "Comparing the Safety Culture of Nursing Homes and Hospitals."

"This research is important in expanding our understanding of safety culture, to better understand the differences and similarities between healthcare settings, and to promote shared learning of best practices between settings," the authors report. "Findings from the Nursing Home Survey on Patient Safety Culture (NHSPSC) were compared with findings from the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC)."

The authors believe that a "learning opportunity" may present itself for both nursing homes and hospitals to improve safety culture in the coming years. "This may have a significant impact on quality of care and quality of life for residents," the study reported.

We've handled many cases for folks whose loved one has been hurt by wandering and elopement as a result of nursing home safety problems. We can help you now. Call us today at 1-800-690-0235.


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