Dehydration Prevention: Facilities Must Monitor Intake & Output
Dehydration poses a major threat to the overall health of nursing home patients as the condition may exacerbate existing complications or cause other conditions to manifest themselves. Dehydrated patients may be at risk for conditions such as kidney failure, low blood volume (hypovolemic shock), electrolyte imbalances, development of decubitus ulcers or death. Consequently, nursing homes must appreciate the risk of patients becoming dehydrated and implement measures to ensure that patients remain well hydrated. Depending on the person’s risk for dehydration, a nursing home may order fluid intake and output to be measured by staff either during a specific time period...
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Nursing Home Fined In Dehydration Death
California nursing home regulators have fined El Dorado Care Center $21,000 for violations that led to the death of 86-year-old resident Donald Forseth. In 2006, Mr. Forseth died within four months of his admission to this nursing home from complications related to dehydration. A complaint was filed against El Dorado Care Center by Foundation Aiding the Elderly, a patient advocacy group shortly after Mr. Forseth's death. Almost two years after the report of nursing home neglect was made, the state Department of Health Services found that the facility failed to monitor the man's fluid intake, which led to severe dehydration,...
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