*Brookhurst Insurance Services is licensed to provide worker’s compensation insurance for Nursing Homes nationwide.
While there has been an increase in the number of regional and national nursing home facilities, most of them are privately owned and managed. This means that these facilities are required to take workers’ compensation insurance for their workforce, who typically includes registered nurses (RNs), nurses’ aides, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), food service, administrative staff, and housekeeping.
Risks in Nursing Homes
Most nursing homes exercise safety and caution to protect their patients and workforce, while also having different protocols in place to reduce the likelihood of injuries occurring. That being said, there are a few hazards that cause injuries to employees in a nursing home, including:
- Needle sticks
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Lifting and moving patients – the biggest cause of work-related injury
In most states, nurses are required to be on duty always. This implies that medical care is always available in the event of minor work-related injuries such as cuts, abrasions, and bruises, which can be easily treated by other nurses on duty. For more serious injuries, many nursing homes have access to nearby medical facilities that are capable of handling complications.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Nursing Homes
The benefits from workers’ compensation insurance for nursing homes are more or less the same as for any other industry, and include payment of any fees for hospital stay, ambulance ride, emergency room visit, and lost wages. Occupational diseases and disabilities are rare in the nursing home environment, so benefits for physical therapy or rehabilitation are infrequent.
Managing Nursing Home Risks
Many jobs in the industry involve a lot of heavy lifting associated with moving patients. While this aspect of the industry can be a potential hazard for businesses, it is possible to reduce the risk and frequency of associated injuries by using specialized equipment such as friction reducing devices and mechanical lifts.
Other measures for employees in a nursing home include:
- Use of other available employees or equipment to assist with lifting and moving patients, as well as moving patients to make the process non-strenuous for RNs, LPNs, and nurse aides.
- Rotations with placement at a help/information desk to direct visitors and offer assistance
- Facilities to allow standing or sitting as need be, or perhaps elevating an injured leg
- Assigning lighter duties to foodservice and janitorial personnel, such as working the cash register or light cleaning tasks
Workers’ compensation for nursing home personnel is important to ensure prompt medical assistance and maximize the productivity of the facility, as employees will be physically and mentally healthy. The hospital management should also identify risk areas for clients and develop the appropriate protocols, procedures, and policies to help reduce, prevent, and manage risks in the facility.
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Our experienced agents would be happy to discuss customized plans & pricing with you in order to get you insured properly. To speak with one of our worker’s compensation insurance agents, please call our office @ 818.465.7860 or simply fill out our online contact form and we will respond promptly.