The elderly are more susceptible to developing and catching infections, especially in a nursing home environment where there are many people living in close quarters. However, nursing homes have the responsibility to ensure that their residents remain clean and sanitary conditions to prevent serious infections from developing. Additionally, nursing homes must also clean their facilities regularly to decrease the chances of transmissions of infectious diseases. If your elderly loved one suffered from an untreated infection as a nursing home resident, you may have the right to receive compensation on their behalf. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to speak to a Chicago untreated infections lawyer that can determine your loved one’s legal rights.
Understanding Infections
The cause of infections are the result of bacteria or germs that enter a person’s body and then lead to the actual infection. The bacteria, or germ, is a pathogen that was never intended to be inside a person’s body, and when it is, it can cause serious medical complications. Infections can occur in any part of the body and can result in several different types of catastrophic medical conditions. Many infections can resolve completely if caught and treated quickly. However, if a nursing home facility fails to monitor their elderly residents, the common infections in nursing homes that remain untreated can result in life-threatening injuries or even death.
Viral Infections
Viral infections can include something as simple as the common cold, as well as infections from parasites or viruses, receive through sexual contact. Some types of viral infections that occur in nursing home residents may include:
- The common cold.
- Meningitis.
- Hepatitis.
- Cellulitis (skin infections).
- Eye infections.
- Myelitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Pancreatitis.
- Sexually transmitted diseases.
- Pharyngitis.
- Rabies.
- Croup.
- Warts.
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Bacterial Infections
When different forms of bacteria enter the body, they can cause a myriad of different types of infections. Bacterial infections in nursing homes could include pneumonia, tuberculosis, dysentery, or diphtheria. The body parts most often affected by bacterial infections include the brain, ear, lungs, upper respiratory tract, stomach, eye, sinuses, urinary tract, genitals, and the skin.
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Fungal Infections
Fungal infections almost always affect the skin in some way. The fungi reproduce on the skin’s surface; however, they can also affect the lungs, mouth, intestines, and vagina. Those elderly patients who received chemotherapy or have HIV/AIDS are more susceptible to fungal infections. There are three types of fungal infections: superficial, cutaneous, and subcutaneous. While a fungal infection may seem minor, it can lead to death if untreated.
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Untreated Infections
Any untreated infection can lead to the development of a severe life-threatening condition such as sepsis, or even death. If viral, bacterial or fungal infections are not treated immediately, they can turn into a serious medical issue quite quickly. The symptoms of an untreated infection will vary depending on the original infection contracted.
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Infection Regulations for Nursing Homes
Nursing homes accept responsibility for the care and health of the residents they accept to live in their facilities according to residents’ rights for people in long term care facilities. They agree to provide them with a certain level of individualized medical and personal care to ensure that their medical needs receive attention in a quick and proper manner. Their standards must adhere to current medical industry standards, and if a nursing home employee deviates from these standards or the protocols established by the individual nursing home, they are legally negligent.
Nursing home facilities must follow very specific cleaning and infection control standards. They must continually monitor every patient according to their specific medical conditions and needs. Each resident must have their individual needs assessed when they enter the nursing home, and then have continual monitoring regarding their needs. Additionally, each nursing home resident should receive daily monitoring regarding any signs of infection such as fever, changes in behavior, complaints of not feeling well, physical signs (such as bed sores), or any other sign of infection. Any small sign or symptom of infection must be immediately treated as serious and the nursing home resident should receive medical attention from an attending physician as soon as possible.
Failure to Treat Infections of Nursing Home Residents
If a nursing home facility fails to identify any type of viral, bacterial, or fungal infection and fails to treat it appropriately so that it becomes significantly worse, it can lead to a life-threatening condition or even death. Any nursing home facility that allows patients to remain with untreated infections could be liable for elderly abuse or neglect. If your elderly loved one suffered from an untreated infection, you may have the legal right to pursue charges including elder abuse and neglect. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to have a Chicago untreated infections lawyer help you determine your next steps.
Determining Fault
Demonstrating that the nursing home staff members, attending physicians, or management failed to discover an infection or prevent the infection from worsening could be grounds for a negligence or medical malpractice claim.
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The advanced age of your elderly loved one already makes them at a higher risk of developing an infection. However, nursing home residents should never have any untreated infections develop on themselves through contact with others. If your elderly loved one suffered from any type of untreated infection in a nursing home, they may be the victim of elderly abuse or neglect by the nursing home. If you believe your elderly loved one suffered any form of abuse or neglect within a nursing home, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to help you determine your legal rights.
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