Understanding the Tragic Consequences of Covid-19 Neglect in LA Nursing Homes
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought many tragic consequences, alongside many lighthearted or strange ones, but one of the more devastating impacts has been on nursing homes. We are familiar with stories of hundreds of nursing home residents infected all over the US, particularly in New York, caused by authorities placing sick elderly into large elder care homes. The New York Times has reported on this issue in several articles. One such article, published on May 6, 2020, is titled “‘They’re Death Pits’: Virus Claims at Least 7,000 Lives in U.S. Nursing Homes” and discusses how nursing homes across the US have been hit hard by the pandemic.1
In Los Angeles, nursing homes were also hit hard by the pandemic, and many residents sadly lost their lives due to neglect and substandard care. In this blog post, we will explore the extent of the problem, the legal action being taken against negligent nursing homes, and how regular Covid testing can help prevent further tragedies.
Statistics on Nursing Home Deaths in LA
According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, more than 8,000 nursing home residents in LA have died from Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.2 This accounts for half of all Covid-19 deaths in LA County. Many of these deaths were the result of poor infection control measures and neglect by nursing home staff.
Lawsuits and Criminal Charges against Negligent Nursing Homes
The high number of nursing home deaths in LA has prompted legal action against negligent nursing homes. The California Attorney General’s office has filed criminal charges against several nursing homes, alleging that they failed to provide adequate care to their residents, leading to their deaths.3 In addition, families of nursing home residents have filed lawsuits against facilities that failed to protect their loved ones from the virus.
The Impact on Families and Loved Ones
The impact of the nursing home deaths and resulting lawsuits extends beyond the affected individuals. Families and loved ones have been left devastated by the loss of their relatives, who often passed away without the opportunity for final goodbyes or visits. COVID-19 has hit nursing homes especially hard, and many families were powerless to help their loved ones during their illness. As a result, many people have become advocates for nursing home reform, aiming to prevent similar heartbreak in the future.
The Importance of Regular Covid Testing in Nursing Homes
Regular Covid testing is an essential tool for preventing outbreaks in nursing homes. Asymptomatic staff and residents can unknowingly spread the virus, making it difficult to contain outbreaks. By regularly testing staff and residents, nursing homes can identify positive cases early and take steps to prevent further spread of the virus.
How My Care Labs Can Help
At My Care Labs, we offer Covid testing services for nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Our team of healthcare professionals can provide on-site testing for residents and staff, ensuring that results are available quickly. We also offer a real-time portal for nursing home administrators to track testing results and monitor outbreaks. With regular testing, nursing homes can help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and protect their residents from harm.
The high number of nursing home deaths in LA, among other global cities, is a tragic consequence of government and health authorities mishandling their response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Negligent nursing home administrators and owners must be held accountable for their actions, and the families of victims deserve justice. Regular Covid testing is an essential tool for preventing outbreaks in nursing homes, and My Care Labs is here to help. With our on-site testing and real-time results portal, we can help nursing homes prevent the spread of Covid-19 and protect their residents from future harm.
Schedule your nursing home medical testing discovery call to discuss how we can help aid resident safety in your long-term or short-term elder care facilities.
Footnotes:
1. ‘They’re Death Pits’: Virus Claims at Least 7,000 Lives in U.S. Nursing Homes – NYTimes
2. Tracking the coronavirus in California nursing homes – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
