Nova Scotia’s total bedsore numbers higher than original reports

HALIFAX - The NDP Caucus has obtained new information through a Freedom of Information request that shows that 7 per cent of nursing home patients, or one in 14, have bedsores. In addition to 144 stage three and stage four bedsores, there were 477 cases of stage one and two bedsores as of July 13.

“Bedsores are entirely preventable. They occur when residents of long-term care are not being moved enough. This happens more often when there are not enough staff to care for residents,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “The solution is simple - the government needs to reverse their cuts to nursing homes and hire more staff to care for residents.”

At Northwood, a long-term care facility in Halifax, staff have successfully reduced the prevalence of bedsores from 12 per cent to 1.9 per cent. The lead wound care specialist at Northwood highlighted in an interview that if there were more staff, they could potentially reduce the prevalence rate to zero.

“This government needs to listen now. Staff, residents, and family members have had enough,” said Tammy Martin, NDP Spokesperson for Health and Wellness. “Staff in nursing homes do the best they can with what they are given, but people are literally dying from bedsores. Our seniors deserve much better.”

Last week, the NDP introduced the Care and Dignity Act, which would create legislated minimum care standards for all residents of long-term care facilities. To meet minimum care standards more staff would have to be hired in long-term care facilities to care for residents.

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A PDF of the FOI data can be found here.