Georgia Nursing Home Infection Attorney

Common Types of Nursing Home Infections

Elderly individuals in nursing homes are at a significantly higher risk of infection due to weakened immune systems, pre-existing medical conditions, and close living quarters. Some of the most common types of infections seen in nursing homes include:

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Often caused by improper catheter use or poor hygiene, UTIs can lead to confusion, fever, and even sepsis if left untreated.
• Respiratory Infections: Conditions like pneumonia and bronchitis are common in elderly residents and can quickly become life-threatening.
• Skin Infections: Bedsores (pressure ulcers), cellulitis, and fungal infections are common due to prolonged immobility and inadequate skin care.
• Gastrointestinal Infections: Contagious illnesses like norovirus and Clostridium difficile (C. diff) often spread rapidly in group living environments with poor sanitation.
• Bloodstream Infections (Sepsis): These are often the result of untreated infections and can be fatal without prompt medical care.

Prompt detection, diagnosis, and treatment of these infections are crucial to preventing long-term harm or death. Sadly, many cases are the result of negligence and delayed response.

Common Causes of Infections in Nursing Homes

Infections in nursing homes don’t occur in a vacuum. Many are the result of carelessness, understaffing, or systemic failures in facility protocols. Some of the most common causes include:

• Poor Hygiene Practices: Failing to wash hands, sanitize equipment, or change bedding and clothing increases infection risk.
• Inadequate Wound Care: Open wounds, bedsores, or surgical sites require careful cleaning and monitoring to prevent bacterial growth.
• Improper Catheter and IV Use: Inserting and managing catheters or IV lines improperly can introduce dangerous bacteria into the body.
• Unsanitary Conditions: Dirty bathrooms, kitchens, or communal spaces foster bacteria and viruses.
• Staffing Shortages: Overworked or undertrained staff may miss early signs of infection or be unable to provide proper hygiene support.
• Failure to Isolate Infected Residents: When one resident has a contagious condition, they must be isolated to avoid infecting others.

Each of these failures could serve as grounds for legal action if it results in harm to your loved one.

How Nursing Home Staff Prevent & Manage Infections

Preventing infections in nursing homes requires consistent hygiene, careful monitoring, and rapid response. When facilities follow proper infection control protocols, many illnesses can be prevented altogether. Nursing home staff must:

• Follow CDC Guidelines: Including frequent handwashing, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and routine disinfection.
• Conduct Regular Health Screenings: Monitoring residents for fever, confusion, or other signs of infection is key to early diagnosis.
• Maintain Clean Living Conditions: Regular cleaning of resident rooms, bathrooms, and communal areas is essential.
• Provide Proper Nutrition and Hydration: A healthy diet supports immune system function and wound healing.
• Administer Medications Promptly: Delayed antibiotics or inadequate treatment can allow infections to worsen.
• Isolate and Treat Sick Residents: Infection control policies should be in place to limit disease spread.

When staff ignore or mishandle these responsibilities, they put every resident at risk.