Mississippi Infection Attorney

Common Types of Nursing Home Infections

Elderly residents in nursing homes often have weakened immune systems, making them especially vulnerable to infections. While some infections occur naturally, many arise due to unsanitary or negligent conditions that could have been prevented with proper care.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs are among the most frequent infections in nursing homes. They often develop from improper catheter use, poor hygiene, or failure to change incontinence garments regularly. Left untreated, UTIs can lead to sepsis, kidney infections, or even death.

Respiratory Infections

Conditions such as pneumonia and bronchitis are extremely dangerous for elderly individuals. Staff must monitor residents for early signs of respiratory distress and ensure proper ventilation, cleanliness, and flu prevention protocols are followed.

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

When residents develop bedsores, open wounds, or abrasions, they are at risk for bacterial infections like cellulitis or MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). These infections can rapidly spread if the wounds are not cleaned and treated properly.

Gastrointestinal Infections

Contaminated food, unclean kitchens, or improper waste disposal can lead to serious infections such as norovirus, Clostridium difficile (C. diff), and salmonella. These illnesses can spread quickly in communal living environments.

Bloodstream Infections (Sepsis)

Sepsis is one of the most severe results of untreated infection. It occurs when an infection spreads to the bloodstream, causing systemic inflammation and organ failure. Sepsis is often fatal, particularly in elderly patients, and frequently indicates serious nursing home neglect.

Common Causes of Infections

Infections in nursing homes are often preventable. They are typically the result of inadequate training, understaffing, or a facility’s failure to implement and enforce proper infection control procedures. Common causes include:

• Poor hygiene practices: Staff failing to wash hands or use gloves when providing care.
• Unsanitary conditions: Dirty linens, contaminated food preparation areas, and unclean medical equipment.
• Neglect of wounds or sores: Untreated bedsores and skin injuries that become infected.
• Improper use of catheters or medical devices: Failure to sterilize or change devices can lead to bacterial infections.
• Overcrowding and understaffing: Not enough caregivers to maintain cleanliness or provide timely medical attention.
• Failure to isolate contagious residents: Diseases can spread quickly in close quarters if infection control measures are not followed.

When nursing homes cut corners or fail to adhere to health regulations, residents’ lives are placed at risk. Facilities that do not meet state and federal infection control standards may be held liable for resulting injuries or deaths.

How Nursing Home Staff Prevent & Manage Infections

Nursing home facilities in Mississippi are legally required to maintain specific infection prevention and control programs. Proper infection control not only protects residents but also ensures that facilities remain compliant with federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines.

Effective infection prevention includes:

Hygiene and Sanitation

Staff must wash hands before and after every resident interaction, wear protective gloves, and sanitize equipment regularly. Facilities should be routinely cleaned and disinfected.

Wound and Skin Care

Residents with limited mobility require frequent repositioning to prevent pressure ulcers. Any open wound or sore should be promptly cleaned, monitored, and treated by qualified medical personnel.

Proper Food and Water Handling

Kitchens must follow strict food safety regulations, including proper storage and preparation procedures to prevent bacterial growth.

Medication and Medical Device Management

Catheters, IV lines, and feeding tubes must be inserted, cleaned, and replaced according to medical standards to minimize infection risk.

Monitoring and Rapid Response

Staff must be trained to recognize early signs of infection—such as fever, fatigue, or confusion—and ensure that residents receive timely medical attention.

If a nursing home fails to follow these standards and a resident becomes infected as a result, that negligence may constitute grounds for a legal claim.

Seeking Legal Help for a Nursing Home Infection

At McHugh Fuller Law Group, we understand the devastating impact a preventable infection can have on a family. Our Mississippi infection attorneys work diligently to investigate the cause of your loved one’s illness, identify negligent parties, and pursue full compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.

We gather evidence such as medical records, staff logs, and inspection reports to determine whether the facility violated infection control standards or failed to provide adequate care. We also work with medical experts to evaluate the extent of your loved one’s injuries and long-term prognosis.

Our goal is not just to recover compensation—but to ensure accountability and improve safety standards for all residents across Mississippi.

Contact a Mississippi Infection Lawyer Today

Preventable infections should never occur in a properly run nursing home. When they do, families deserve answers and justice.

If your loved one has suffered due to an infection in a long-term care facility, contact McHugh Fuller Law Group today. Our compassionate and experienced infection lawyers in Mississippi are ready to fight for your family’s rights.

Don’t let uncertainty keep you from getting help—call (601) 255-0240 today to begin the conversation and protect your loved one’s rights.