Study Reveals Dangers at Nursing Homes

A study led by Harvard University researchers put elderly nursing home patients at risk during research they conducted regarding dangerous one-sided hip protector garments used by more than 1,300 nursing home residents.

Led by Harvard Medical School Gerontologist Dr. Douglas P. Kiel, launched the yearlong study on the effectiveness of one-sided padded hip protectors. Some nursing homes utilize padded underwear on patients so they do not suffer hip injuries in the event of a fall. While some of the undergarments are padded for both hips, Kiel and his researchers studied the potential dangers of the garments that were only padded on one side.

Kiel and his staff found that garments with padding on only one side were actually increased the likelihood that seniors wearing them would fall and suffer fractured hips. However, despite learning of this safety hazard, they did not properly relay the information to patients, the safety boards monitoring the study, or the federal agency that funded the research.

“Investigators failed to provide subjects with significant new findings about these risks developed during the course of the research which may have related to the subject’s willingness to continue participation,” the Office for Human Research Protections said in a statement, according to Boston.com.

Safety notices will now be sent to the nursing homes where the 1,300+ patients who used the one-sided pads reside that explain their dangers. Hopefully the patients, and the nursing homes, will act appropriately and switch to more effective safety devices.

If you or a loved one has been harmed while living in a nursing home, there may be legal actions worth pursuing. Call Sokolove Law today to learn more about possibly pursing a nursing home abuse lawsuit. For legal help, call (800) 581-6358.