You should never have to discover that your loved one fell seriously ill from an untreated infection in a nursing home. Unfortunately, studies show that these kinds of infections happen in nursing homes. Getting an infection can cause concern, especially when your loved one already suffers from other health conditions.
It is important that you know your rights when it comes to nursing homes. In cases of undetected infections, a nursing home can prove liable for its staff’s inactions. An infection may go undiagnosed for lack of staff or due to the nursing home employing unqualified staff.
Either way, your loved one should not have to suffer due to a nursing home’s negligence. Nursing home neglect is illegal, and you could receive compensation if your loved one’s health suffered due to an untreated infection. We may help you with all aspects of building your case, starting with a free consultation to assess your options. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today and find out how a Forest Park untreated infections lawyer may help you get compensation for your loved one’s suffering and medical expenses.
Nursing Homes Can Harbor Infections
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mentions that nursing home residents remain particularly vulnerable to infections due to normal aging and decline. They also need frequent help from caregivers, who may lack good hand hygiene. Long-term care residents, according to the CDC, may suffer from open wounds and other health conditions that may require them to use medical devices entering their bodies like an IV tube. An infection can enter the body easily through broken skin and wounds.
In a nursing home without adequate hygiene procedures and protocols, any contagious and potentially dangerous infections can spread among residents and staff alike.
Even in nursing homes with excellent hygiene procedures, infections happen. The most important part of handling infections involves recognizing them in the early stages so the resident has a good chance of recovering in full.
Types of Infections That May Result From Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
A compromised immune system can make the elderly more prone to catching an infection and generally require more time to heal. Many illnesses, such as urinary tract infections, can resolve within a matter of days or weeks if they receive proper treatment. Untreated infections, however, can lead to complications in a nursing home resident, including sepsis and premature death.
Undetected and untreated infections can also cause spiking health costs, requiring hospitalization and extensive treatment of your loved one now and potentially in the future.
For a free legal consultation with a Untreated Infections Lawyer serving Forest Park, call (800) 794-0444
Signs of Infections in Elderly Adults
Some of the signs caregivers and relatives can observe that could point to an infection in a resident include:
- High temperature
- Fatigue and weakness
- Change in character and confusion
- An inflamed and red wound
Unfortunately, nursing home staff may recognize an infection too late, especially if they are untrained. This potentially causes a major health risk for the resident. Untreated infections can lead to sepsis, which can prove life-threatening. Sepsis can occur with untreated urinary tract infections in older adults in nursing homes. Other infections seen in nursing homes that can lead to sepsis include pneumonia, late-stage bedsores, influenza, and gastrointestinal illnesses, among others.
Tips To Help Prevent Infections
While it is not always possible to prevent infections in a nursing home, there are some actions you can take to help stop the spread of infections:
- Wash your hands before and after visiting your loved one.
- Wear some protective gear such as masks and gloves if your loved one is suffering from a contagious infection.
- Do not visit your loved one if you are suffering from an infection such as influenza.
- Make sure your loved one is vaccinated for the flu every year.
- Ask staff about cleaning and hygiene procedures.
- Make unannounced visits and check that staff is wearing protective clothing and observing good hygiene.
- Ask your loved one to wash hands frequently.
- Encourage your loved one to report any health concerns to a caregiver immediately.
Was your loved one’s infection overlooked or treated too late? If an undetected infection aggravated an existing medical condition and your loved one became seriously ill or died, you may qualify to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. We understand that this can be a stressful time, but we may help you find out what went wrong and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions or inactions.
Forest Park Untreated Infections Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Regulation in Care Facilities
Nursing homes in Illinois have to follow certain cleaning and infection control standards. State laws also mandate these standards, in particular the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) ensures that the state’s nursing homes act in compliance with state and federal laws by inspecting and certifying the facilities. If nursing homes violate any care standards, the department can cite and fine the offending nursing homes.
It can be beneficial to conduct your own research when moving your loved one into a nursing home or moving them from one nursing home to another. The IDPH publishes quarterly reports of nursing home violations in Illinois, which may help you make a good choice for your loved one.
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If your loved one’s health has already suffered from a nursing home’s negligence, you may hold the facility liable for any expenses incurred due to their oversight.
Compensation may include reimbursement of medical bills, transportation costs to and from medical facilities, awards for physical and mental suffering, and others. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to find out how a Forest Park untreated infections lawyer may help you and your loved one. Call us.
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