Report "When Care Costs Lives: Emergencies in Nursing Homes"
ORANJESTAD - The Aruba Public Health Inspectorate published the report "Als zorg levens kost: calamiteiten in verzorgingshuizen" (When Care Costs Lives: Emergencies in Nursing Homes) on February 10, 2025.
This report shares the findings from six incident investigations conducted by the Inspectorate between 2020 and 2024 in nursing homes on Aruba. In all six cases, after extensive investigation, it was determined that an incident occurred: an unexpected or unintended event in care with serious adverse consequences or death.
The findings in this report indicate that care in various nursing homes is fundamentally lacking. This highlights the need for collaboration as well as ongoing and strong oversight, accountability, and commitment from all parties involved.
The Inspectorate urgently calls for measures to maintain quality improvements over time. Simply analyzing incidents and using enforcement tools is not enough on its own. The underlying bottlenecks are known and require a systematic and policy-driven approach. Only in this way can acute risks for clients be eliminated and the continuity, safety, and dignity of care guaranteed in the long term.
The Inspectorate underscores that adhering to and sustainably implementing professional care standards is a collective responsibility shared among government agencies, healthcare institutions, supervisory bodies, healthcare professionals, and other partners within the care chain. Collaboration and the sustainable integration of quality standards in policy and implementation are essential for developing a resilient healthcare system that provides elderly people in Aruba with care that meets professional standards and upholds their dignity.
“A society that honors its elders honors its future.”
For the full report, please visit: https://www.iva.aw/rapportnan-di-inspeccion-general.
