Sepsis and Other Infections Pose a Great Risk to the Elderly
Elderly individuals face many risks, and one of these is the risk of infections such as sepsis. Elders are not only more likely to develop sepsis and other types of infections, but it is also much more difficult for their bodies to fight against them. Infections are not always avoidable in nursing homes, but many times they are. When nursing home staff members do not take proper preventative measures to ensure residents do not develop an injection, elders can suffer great harm. A Florida nursing home abuse lawyer can help anyone that has developed a preventable infection recover the damages they deserve.
Common Infections Suffered by the Elderly
While elderly residents may suffer from a variety of different infections, there are some that are more commonly seen in nursing homes. These five types of infections are as follows:
- Bacterial pneumonia: Some types of bacterial pneumonia are contagious. When this type of infection occurs at a nursing home, it is of critical importance that staff members take the necessary care to ensure the infection does not spread throughout the facility.
- Urinary tract infections: Diabetes, catheters, and limited mobility all place elderly individuals at a higher risk for a urinary tract infection.
- Gastrointestinal infections: Changes in the gastrointestinal tract, which are very common in elders, can cause infections such as helicobacter pylori and clostridium difficile.
- Skin infections: Bed sores, shingles, cellulitis, and MRSA are just a few of the most common types of skin infections seen in nursing homes.
- Influenza: The air in a nursing home is recycled and because it is a closed setting, infections that are extremely contagious can easily spread throughout the home. Influenza is one of the most common types of infections in a nursing home and it is also one of the most deadly for any elder that contracts it.
Nursing homes and their staff members must take appropriate steps at all times to ensure residents do not suffer from an infection and that when one occurs, that it does not spread throughout the facility.
Sepsis in Elders
Any time an elder develops an infection, they are at risk for also developing a complication known as sepsis. Sepsis is caused by an inflammatory response in the body when certain chemicals make their way into the blood. Sepsis is extremely harmful and can cause organs to fail. After sepsis has developed, it can cause a person’s blood pressure to drop dramatically. This is known as septic shock and it is sometimes fatal, particularly when an elder experiences it.
Certain factors place a person at a higher risk of developing sepsis. These include a compromised immune system, advanced age, IVs, catheters, and more. Nursing home staff members are responsible for recognizing the risk factor in their elderly residents. They must do everything they can to ensure residents do not develop the condition, and that it does not become worse when it develops.
Our Florida Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help if Your Loved One Developed an Infection
If you think your loved one developed an infection or sepsis as a result of nursing home negligence, our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer is here to help. At Kohn Law, we will determine if the infection was a result of negligence and hold the nursing home accountable for paying the full damages your family deserves. Call us today at 813-428-8504 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.
Resource:
webmd.com/lung/bacterial-pneumonia#1