Patient Safety in Nursing Homes

The growing older adult population in need of supportive care has contributed to greater complexity and strain on long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and has highlighted the urgent need to address resident safety and quality concerns within those settings. This chapter will describe the nature and types of long-term care settings in the United States, discuss the need for a culture of safety in those settings, and discuss how staff shortages have affected care. The age-friendly health system movement will also be discussed as a way to strengthen reliable, evidence-based practice in long-term care. Special considerations will be reviewed with suggested approaches and a case to help illustrate best practice care.