Columbus Nursing Home Infection Lawyer

Common Types of Nursing Home Infections

Nursing homes often care for older adults with compromised immune systems, making infection prevention essential. Unfortunately, many infections occur when facilities fail to follow proper hygiene and care procedures. Common infections in Columbus nursing homes include:

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs are among the most common nursing home infections. They frequently occur in residents who are immobile, use catheters, or rely on staff for toileting hygiene. Left untreated, a UTI can lead to sepsis, kidney infections, and hospitalization.

Respiratory Infections

Respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and influenza can spread quickly in communal living environments. These infections may develop from improper monitoring, lack of vaccinations, poor ventilation, and inadequate respiratory care.

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Skin infections—including cellulitis, fungal infections, and infected wounds—often occur when staff fail to maintain proper cleanliness, reposition residents, or treat minor cuts and abrasions.

Gastrointestinal Infections

Viruses and bacteria such as norovirus, C. difficile, and salmonella can spread through contaminated food, surfaces, or water sources. These infections often cause severe dehydration and can be life-threatening for elderly residents.

Bloodstream Infections (Sepsis)

Sepsis is a medical emergency that can result from untreated infections anywhere in the body. Many cases of nursing home sepsis are preventable and occur because staff failed to identify symptoms early or respond appropriately.

Common Causes of Infections in Nursing Homes

While some infections occur naturally, many nursing home infections in Columbus are completely preventable. Common causes of infections include:

Poor Hygiene Practices

Infections spread easily when staff fail to wash their hands, change gloves, or sanitize equipment. Poor hygiene is one of the leading causes of preventable nursing home infections.

Unsanitary Living Conditions

Residents are exposed to harmful bacteria when bedding, bathrooms, mobility equipment, and common areas are not properly cleaned and disinfected.

Neglect of Medical Needs

Failing to monitor wounds, change catheters, administer medications, or follow infection-prevention protocols puts residents at risk of serious illness.

Chronic Understaffing

Many nursing homes operate with inadequate staffing levels, making it difficult for caregivers to respond promptly to residents’ hygiene, toileting, mobility, and medical needs.

Improper Food Handling

Foodborne bacteria can spread quickly when staff do not follow safe preparation and storage procedures.

Failure to Isolate Sick Residents

When contagious residents are not separated from healthy residents, widespread outbreaks can occur throughout the facility.

Lack of Training

Inadequately trained staff may not recognize early signs of infection or properly follow infection control policies.

If any of these conditions contributed to your loved one’s infection, the facility may be liable for negligence. Our Columbus nursing home infection attorney at McHugh Fuller Law Group can help investigate and pursue justice.

How Nursing Home Staff Prevent & Manage Infections

Nursing homes are required to follow both federal and Ohio state health and safety regulations. Proper infection control procedures include:

Routine Sanitation and Cleaning

Staff must disinfect high-touch surfaces, medical equipment, bathrooms, and communal areas to reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses.

Hand-Washing and Hygiene Protocols

Caregivers should wash their hands before and after assisting each resident, using proper techniques that reduce cross-contamination.

Proper Wound and Catheter Care

Open wounds, pressure ulcers, and catheters must be closely monitored, cleaned, and treated to reduce the risk of infection.

Monitoring Residents for Early Signs of Illness

Promptly identifying symptoms—such as fever, redness, swelling, changes in behavior, or decreased appetite—can prevent minor infections from becoming life-threatening.

Isolating Contagious Residents

Residents with contagious conditions must be separated from others to reduce exposure risks.

Ensuring Adequate Staffing

Sufficient staffing ensures residents receive the timely and thorough care they need to remain healthy.

Training and Compliance

All staff members should be trained in infection prevention practices and must follow established care guidelines.

Failure to meet these obligations often indicates negligence—and you may have grounds for a claim.