Unaddressed Infections in Nursing Home Patients

When people get older and need to move into nursing homes, they often must cope with a variety of health issues. Infections are not uncommon among nursing home residents. In most cases, they can be treated with proper care. An attentive nursing home staff will address infections and other health problems promptly so the resident can recover quickly.

Unfortunately, some poorly run nursing homes fail to properly monitor their residents. Unaddressed infections can lead to serious problems, including a sepsis infection. Inflammation, or redness and swelling, is the body's attempt to remove the infection. Unaddressed, the inflammation will occur throughout the body as the infection spreads.

BED SORES CAN LEAD TO INFECTION

An infection may occur due to a bed sore. Residents who are left unattended or abandoned in a negligent nursing home may develop bed sores and infections, which can be fatal if left untreated.

If your loved one suffered due to an unaddressed infection, don't hesitate to contact a Santa Rosa elder abuse attorney. Your loved one may be entitled to compensation for losses. An infection that results in death may be grounds for a nursing home wrongful death lawsuit.

THE RISK OF SEPSIS

The potentially life-threatening complication of an infection is known as sepsis, and it occurs when the chemicals that are released into the bloodstream to fight the infection instead trigger inflammation in areas throughout the body. Inflammation can then trigger a number of other changes, some of which can result in damage to multiple organ systems, ultimately causing the organs to fail. If sepsis progresses too far, a dramatic drop in blood pressure can occur – a condition that is referred to as septic shock – which could lead to death.

The persons most at risk of developing sepsis are individuals who are elderly and individuals who suffer from a weakened immune system. For this reason, nursing home staff members are expected to pay particular attention to the patients they treat, thus helping to avoid the issue of unaddressed wounds and infections that could lead to sepsis. In fact, a person's chances of survival if they are suffering from sepsis can increase significantly if early treatment is made. Failure to identify and properly treat an infection and / or sepsis could result in death.

CONTACT A SANTA ROSA NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE LAWYER

An improperly staffed nursing home should never be tolerated if your loved one is suffering abuse or neglect. At The Law Offices of Freeman & Freeman, we can put our resources and experience to work for your family. We have experience investigating all types of nursing home abuse and negligence cases, including those involving understaffed nursing homes. Contact us today for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for future medical care and other damages.