Choosing to place a loved one in a senior living residence can be a difficult decision in itself. It is for this reason that finding an honest, quality facility is crucial. Maryland, like other states, enforces specific laws that protect all residents in a nursing home. When one finds that a resident has not received this quality service, further action may be necessary.
When facing a challenging situation, it can be helpful to expand one's knowledge of nursing home regulations as a whole. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration outlines the nursing home standards held by a number of states, including Maryland. Since 2007, Maryland has enforced a straightforward law requiring all hospitals to supply a safe patient lifting team with enough staff present at all times. OSHA also provides a number of brochures and handbooks for all nursing home employees regarding various hazards and safety risks of the job. The administration updates these handbooks on a regular basis and provides additional training resources for nursing home staff.
Unfortunately, training and preventative measures do not always keep an incident from taking place. The website for Maryland's attorney general offers an additional, state-specific handbook outlining the many aspects of nursing home care. To make a complaint, a person may first need to report the incident to the head nurse in charge of the elderly patient's unit. Depending on the facility, concerned family and friends may also contact a nurse hotline for help. Maryland law requires nursing homes to address reports within 30 days; if a facility fails to do so, it may be best to contact the Office of Health Care Quality. Not only can a report of an incident help a patient seek justice, but it can also help protect all other residents under a nursing home's care.