Addressing healthcare vulnerabilities in nursing homes : Insights from human rights monitoring in two Austrian provinces.

Background: Current demographic changes bear challenges for national care systems due to higher life expectancy of older citizens. Largely cut off from society, nursing home residents are at risk for violence, neglect, and other potential human rights violations. This study aimed to investigate healthcare vulnerabilities in nursing homes and evaluate the Austrian National Preventive Mechanism (NPM).

Methods: Between 2017 and 2019, 55 monitoring visits were conducted in 32 nursing homes. Study outcomes from two Austrian provinces included data on infrastructure, occupancy, staffing, resident's demographics and medical conditions, as well as measures related to the functioning of the NPM.

Results: Accessibility with mobility aids was sufficient in 87%, but assistance for persons with visual or hearing impairments solely in 20-40% of the institutions. An understaffing with nursing assistants (-5.2 full-time equivalents in Carinthia) and home helpers (-1.6 in Carinthia and Styria) was present. Less than 20% of the personnel received advanced training related to dementia and neuropsychiatric care. While 50% of the residents were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, approximately 36% received support from an appointed legal guardian. Of the monitoring visits 58.1% were conducted due to anonymous complaints and urgent referrals. The median processing times of the NPM and the provincial governments exceeded 250 days.

Conclusion: Human rights monitoring reveals critical aspects in nursing home care, including insufficient accessibility, understaffing and inadequate training. Although the authorities' handling times hinder prompt responses, the NPM may foster systemic improvements and accountability within nursing homes.