A number of Iowa patients face difficulty while swallowing food or liquids due to many health issues. Older adults are more prone to choking issues than any other age group people. Poor diet, lack of supervision, and improper treatment can increase the risk of choking accidents.
A nursing home must take preventive measures and monitor patients regularly. If the failure of the nursing home to take precautionary measures has resulted in your loved one’s choking accident, a nursing home abuse lawyer in Des Moines can help you get justice. Read this blog to learn more about the common causes of choking and how to prevent it.
How do you prevent choking accidents in nursing homes?
In order to avoid choking accidents, the staff should carefully monitor the residents, especially those who have a high risk of choking. Residents should be provided medical assistance and diagnosed regularly to cure any eating or swallowing difficulties. Such patients should be given a planned diet and monitored while eating.
All the residents’ updates should be noted on their respective charts so that the staff members are aware of their condition. The staff members should only give residents food as health experts advise. Even small tablets can lead to choking issues; therefore, it is very important to monitor the patient when they are given medications.
The staff members should be trained properly to perform choking treatments on the patient. If the nursing home fails to train the staff or take precautionary measures properly, the nursing facility can be held liable for the harm or injury suffered by the choking resident.
What causes choking accidents in nursing homes?
Many reasons can cause choking accidents in nursing homes. Some of the common reasons include:
- Poorly prepared food: It is the duty and responsibility of the nursing home staff to provide their patient with healthy, hygienic, and nutritious meals. Failing to do so may result in a choking accident.
- Dysphagia: Some patients often have difficulty swallowing liquids and foods. This condition is called dysphagia and is common among elderly individuals, which increases the likelihood of choking accidents.
- Lack of supervision: Patients in nursing homes are unable to carry out their daily activities, including eating and drinking, and require assistance. If the staff fails to provide them assistance during the meals, it can increase the possibility of choking accidents.
- Using medication: Some medications can cause dry mouth or difficulty in swallowing, increasing the risk of choking accidents.
- Large bites: Eating large bites or chewing hard meals can also lead to choking accidents.
Watching your loved ones be hurt because of someone else’s fault can be angering. Hire a nursing home injury attorney today to get justice.
