Nursing homes Every fifth resident is tied up

Nursing quality report reveals deficiencies in nursing homes

25/04/2012

The quality of patient care in nursing homes has improved noticeably, but there are still some major deficits. So every fifth resident is still tied up by fixation. This is the result of the third care quality report of the Medical Service of the health insurance companies.

Overall, there is a positive trend in the quality of care, but there are still deficits in various areas, such as nutrition and pain therapy, according to the statements in the 3rd Nursing Quality Report. Since 2007, conditions in nursing homes have improved overall, but care for thousands of people in need of care is still inadequate.

The 3rd Nursing Quality Report was based on Medical Service quality review data from July 2009 to December 2010. In the 18 months, the Medical Service had assessed 16,000 homes and outpatient services. They controlled the care situation of about 62,000 residents and 45,000 people cared for outpatients. Regular unannounced inspection of inpatient care facilities by the Medical Service has been mandated since the 2008 Nursing Reform came into effect and at least once a year since 2011. From the data obtained, it can be seen that overall there is a positive trend. „The good news is that the quality of care has progressed positively“, emphasized the board of the top association of the legal health insurance, Gernot pine, with presentation of the 3. care quality report on Tuesday in Berlin.

Deficiencies in diet and high risk of pressure sores
However, the care quality report also reveals significant deficits in different care areas. For example, the report found deficiencies in the diet of five percent of home residents, with an average weight loss of 34 percent among sufferers. After all, 79.5 percent of the needy home residents were supported in the food intake, compared to 2007, an increase of about 15 percent. However, adequate nutrition for all those in need of care is still not guaranteed today.

It is also worrying that many people in need of care are at an increased risk of pressure sores as they are rarely moved or relocated. According to the report, about 50 percent of patients had a so-called pressure ulcer risk, but only 60 percent of the needy were adequately cared for. The measures required for the prophylaxis of pressure sores, such as a regular change of storage, were accordingly omitted as often as in the investigation period of the second care quality report from 2007.

The Nursing Quality Report also identifies some deficits in the care of dementia patients. According to the medical service, about 61 percent of residents in Germany are suffering from dementia. For those affected were offers to move; Communication and perception of special importance. According to the Nursing Quality Report, 76.3 percent of the needy receive appropriate offers - around ten percent more than in 2007. This is a gratifying trend, but in more than 40 percent of those with dementia, carers do not pay enough attention to their well-being Assessment of the Medical Service.

The Nursing Quality Report further reveals that in just under a fifth of those in need of care, the required medicines were not properly documented and stored. Ninety-five percent of patients, according to the Medical Services, need help handling medication, and 82% of residents require proper administration. However, difficulties exist especially in the medication of pain patients. For example, scarcely half of the possible pain patients receive any pain assessment by the caregivers and around six percent of those in need of care, who have been prescribed pain therapy by the doctor, are not given any painkillers, criticize the examiners. Dr. Peter Pick, the director of the medical service, also criticized, „that too many sedatives are prescribed in care facilities“.

Fixation of people in need of care continues to be widespread
Massive criticism practiced the medical service in the third care quality report also on the still relatively widespread fixation of patients. So the report comes to the conclusion that around 14,000 home residents „freedom-limiting measures“ were subjected. Most of these are barred beds, but belts are also regularly used here. According to the report, ten percent of those affected lacked the necessary court order. Every fifth resident is affected by such measures.

Despite the deficiencies noted in the 3rd Nursing Quality Report, the MD of the Medical Service, Dr. med. Peter Pick, a positive assessment of the development in the care sector. „The quality of care in Germany is mostly good“, stressed the expert. Pick also pointed out that „in central care areas - example nutrition, pressure ulcers (bedsores) - a relevant group of 20 to 40 percent of those in need of care are not maintained according to recognized standards“ becomes. In some institutions, there is still an acute need for action. (Fp)

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Picture: Gerd Altmann