Deteriorating care home residents as ‘matter out of place’ in both care homes and hospitals: An ethnographic study (May 2025)

Summary

A recent ethnographic study, supported by NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration, sheds light on significant patient safety challenges for deteriorating care home residents. It reveals that care staff often perceive these residents as simultaneously vulnerable ('at risk') and potentially dangerous ('a risk') in both care home and hospital settings. This complex perception influences decisions about their care, impacting their safety.

The study suggests deteriorating residents are seen as 'matter out of place', making them feel 'placeless' within healthcare systems. Instead of merely asking if residents are in the 'right place' to receive care, the research urges us to consider whether healthcare services are the 'right shape' to accommodate their complex needs. This perspective is crucial for designing safer, more appropriate care for this highly vulnerable population.