Is your family member in an assisted living facility? Here’s what you should know about common infections….

For the most part, poorly managed nursing homes are breeding grounds for many types of infectious diseases due to lack of hygiene. This can have a devastating effect on patients, which is evident from statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If your loved one becomes sick because of a microscopic entity based on a lack of care, you need a nursing home abuse lawyer in your life. Make the call today!  USAttorneys.com is your answer. 

According to the CDC, as many as 380,000 residents in long term care facilities (LTCFs) die due to infections every year, which goes to show how serious a threat it is to the elderly nursing home residents. Outstanding nursing home abuse lawyers say that preventing infections should be top priority for any nursing facility and that begins with having adequate and properly trained staff.

Now if you have seen the movie Contagion you may know how deadly some viruses and germs can be. You may know this without having seen this movie but this outstanding film is a poignant and vivid representation of this theme. And you may not know how they spread which this movie also illustrates very cleverly. Matt Damon plays Mitch Emhoff who portrays a desperate husband who lost his wife to this fictional but frightening virus since she picked up the virus when she was in China.

Viruses can be lethal and if a nursing home does not take cleanliness serious then this is perhaps one you do not want to associate with. This is a nursing home nursing home abuse attorneys will soon probably have to get involved with.

The CDC was very busy in the movie Contagion but this website Nursing-Home-Abuse.USAttorneys is busy every day helping people find the legal assistance they desperately need.

Common Infections among Nursing Home Residents

Since most elderly people are not in a position to take care of themselves there is always the danger of germs, bacteria, and viruses being spread due to lack of proper care and hygiene. This can cause any medical conditions to worsen and increase the chances of infections spreading rapidly as well. Living in enclosed facilities can only exacerbate the spread of infection.

As many as 20% to 30% of nursing home residents get hit whenever there is an outbreak of influenza while 5% may die. According to medical malpractice and nursing home abuse attorneys, this can be easily prevented with timely immunization through vaccinations not only for the residents but nursing home staff as well.

Urinary Tract Infections

Another common infection that the elderly are prone to at nursing homes is UTIs or urinary tract infections, which can affect the kidneys and bladder. Lack of hygiene, improper insertion of a catheter, and remaining in one position for a long period can encourage this infection.

Skin Infections and Bed Sores

Skin infections are also a common cause for concern at nursing homes. In enclosed environments the elderly are at the risk of contracting scabies. Once again it is vital for these facilities to ensure proper hygiene in order to prevent skin infections from spreading easily to both residents and staff members.

Signs and Symptoms

Nursing home abuse lawyers reiterate that abuse and neglect are just how infections can spread rapidly at nursing facilities. Therefore, they recommend that those who have loved ones in a long term care facility be able to easily spot signs and symptoms of abuse.

This includes physical abuse such as unnecessary physical restraint, unexplained injuries, and open wounds. Some of the typical signs of neglect include lack of personal hygiene, unsanitary conditions, bed sores, and malnutrition, which can all lead to deadly infections.

It is vital to be aware that there are nursing homes that fail to keep their facilities clean. In addition, the staff may not follow the standard of care with patients who may have already contracted an infection.

Therefore, if you suspect that a family member is a victim of abuse at a nursing facility, make sure to reach out to a nursing home lawyer. You have the right to file a lawsuit and hold the facility and its staff liable for any damages.