Living in a peaceful neighborhood, it’s easy to take for granted the well-being of those around us. However, recent health challenges faced by some of my neighbors have brought a disturbing issue to light: the quality of nursing care. Witnessing their experiences in both hospital and nursing home settings, I have to ask: how long has this poor standard of nursing care been going on? What I’ve observed has raised serious questions about the current state of basic nursing and patient care, prompting me to reflect on my own career as a nurse attorney and the future of our profession.
In recent months, our tranquil neighborhood has been touched by a series of health crises affecting several neighbors. While some sadly resulted in loss, others involved serious falls and subsequent hospitalizations. Two cases, in particular, highlighted significant concerns regarding the nursing care received in both the hospital and rehabilitation facilities. These were not isolated incidents of complex medical needs; they were situations requiring fundamental nursing care, raising the critical question: is substandard care becoming commonplace, and How Long Has This Been Going On?
One neighbor, after suffering a stroke and breaking a hip, was admitted to a well-reputed local hospital. However, his recovery was marred by what his wife described as alarmingly inadequate nursing attention. Despite repeated pleas, essential preventative measures were overlooked. A pressure-relieving mattress, meant to prevent decubitus ulcers, remained unplaced in the hallway for days. His wife recounted instances of infrequent nurse check-ins and a lack of proactive turning, crucial for preventing pressure sores. Tragically, he developed a significant decubitus ulcer within days of hospitalization, alongside pneumonia contracted in the hospital itself. The question of how long has this neglect been going on in our healthcare system became painfully real.
Even after hip surgery and transfer to a nursing home for rehabilitation, the situation did not improve. His wife, now a constant presence at both the hospital and nursing home to advocate for her husband, reported that the decubitus ulcer became infected, and his fragile condition persisted, exacerbated by what she perceived as continued subpar nursing care. This raises concerns about the systemic nature of these issues and prompts us to ask: how long has this decline in basic nursing care been going on across different healthcare settings?
Another neighbor experienced a fall, thankfully without fractures, but requiring extensive physical therapy due to a pre-existing knee condition. Her experience in the same hospital and subsequent nursing home mirrored the first neighbor’s concerns. Family members felt compelled to maintain constant vigil, hiring health aides and ensuring someone was always present to oversee her care. A crucial care plan element—regular nighttime turning and incontinence checks, alongside limited chair sitting time—was reportedly neglected. The consequence was, again, the development of decubitus ulcers, delaying her return home due to the intensive wound care required. This pattern of neglect begs the question: how long has this disregard for fundamental nursing protocols been going on?
As a nurse and attorney, I have dedicated my career to advocating for nurses and upholding the standards of our profession. Hearing these accounts from my neighbors is deeply unsettling. It’s not about demanding specialized intensive care; it’s about basic nursing fundamentals: observation, patient turning, responsiveness to patient and family concerns, hygiene, medication administration, and genuine patient-centered care. These are the cornerstones of nursing, and their apparent absence in these situations is alarming. The question that weighs heavily on my mind is: how long has this erosion of basic nursing care been going on, and what are the underlying causes?
Perhaps these are isolated incidents, and I sincerely hope they are. However, the consistency in these experiences raises a more profound question: is this the reality of contemporary nursing care? If such lapses occur in reputable institutions, what is happening in facilities with lesser ratings? This isn’t just about my neighbors; it’s about the vulnerable patients everywhere who rely on the nursing profession for compassionate and competent care. We must confront the question: how long has this potential normalization of inadequate care been going on before it becomes irreversible?
I urge nurses to reflect on the care they provide and witness in their workplaces. Are we truly prioritizing patients and their families? What are patients and their loved ones saying about the care being delivered? Pride in one’s work should be a hallmark of nursing. If you are proud, please share your positive experiences and insights. However, if the experiences of my neighbors reflect a broader trend of declining basic nursing care, we must understand why and, crucially, address the question: how long has this been going on, and what steps can we take to reverse this trajectory and ensure quality care for all patients?
Nancy J. Brent, JD, MS, RN, is a Nurse Attorney with extensive experience in healthcare law, nursing practice, and patient advocacy. She is committed to promoting excellence and accountability within the nursing profession.
