West Virginia Nursing Home Infection Lawyer

Common Types of Nursing Home Infections

Infections in nursing homes are not just inconvenient—they can be life-threatening, especially for elderly residents with weakened immune systems. Common infections include:

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs are extremely common in nursing homes, often caused by poor catheter care, infrequent bathroom assistance, or lack of hydration. Left untreated, UTIs can progress to kidney infections or sepsis.

Respiratory Infections

Illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and COVID-19 spread quickly in communal living environments. Poor ventilation and failure to isolate sick residents can increase outbreak risks.

Skin Infections

Pressure sores (bedsores) can become infected if not treated promptly. Other skin infections, like cellulitis or MRSA, can also occur when wounds are not properly cleaned and dressed.

Gastrointestinal Infections

Infections like norovirus and Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) often spread through contaminated food, water, or surfaces. These illnesses can cause severe dehydration and other complications.

Bloodstream Infections (Sepsis)

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can result from untreated infections. It requires immediate emergency care and often leads to hospitalization.

Common Causes of Infections

Many nursing home infections are preventable. Unfortunately, they often occur due to neglect, understaffing, or poor hygiene practices. Common causes include:

• Poor Sanitation Practices – Failure to clean rooms, bathrooms, and communal areas can allow harmful bacteria and viruses to spread.
• Inadequate Handwashing – Staff must wash hands before and after caring for each resident, but in understaffed facilities, this rule is sometimes neglected.
• Improper Wound Care – Leaving wounds untreated or changing dressings infrequently can allow infection to set in.
• Unhygienic Medical Equipment – Reusing unsterilized medical equipment, such as catheters or feeding tubes, can introduce dangerous pathogens.
• Delayed Medical Attention – Failure to recognize early infection symptoms or delaying treatment can cause conditions to worsen quickly.
• Lack of Isolation for Sick Residents – Infectious diseases can spread rapidly when residents with contagious illnesses are not separated from healthy residents.

When these negligent practices occur, a skilled West Virginia nursing home infection lawyer can help families hold nursing homes accountable.

How Nursing Home Staff Prevent & Manage Infections

Nursing home staff have a legal and ethical duty to protect residents from infections. Effective infection prevention and control requires:

• Strict Hygiene Protocols: All staff should follow proper handwashing techniques, wear gloves when appropriate, and sanitize medical tools before use.
• Regular Cleaning & Disinfection: Shared surfaces, bathrooms, dining areas, and medical equipment must be cleaned frequently with proper disinfectants.
• Timely Medical Care: Recognizing early symptoms—such as fever, confusion, coughing, or unusual wound discharge—and promptly contacting medical professionals is essential.
• Proper Nutrition & Hydration: A healthy diet and adequate fluids help boost immunity, making residents less susceptible to infections.
• Wound & Catheter Care: Staff must clean wounds daily, replace dressings, and follow sterile techniques when inserting or maintaining catheters.
• Staff Training & Education: Ongoing training ensures employees know the latest infection prevention strategies and state/federal health regulations.

When facilities ignore these responsibilities, infections can spread unchecked—leading to hospitalization, long-term complications, or even wrongful death.

Why Choose Our West Virginia Infection Attorney?

At McHugh Fuller Law Group, we have extensive experience handling nursing home neglect and infection-related cases. We:

• Conduct thorough investigations into facility conditions and staff conduct
• Work with medical experts to determine whether proper infection control measures were followed
• Collect evidence such as medical records, inspection reports, and witness statements
• Aggressively pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages
• Hold nursing homes accountable to prevent future harm to other residents

Our mission is to ensure families get the justice they deserve and that nursing homes prioritize resident safety.

Call (601) 255-0240 to get honest answers and relief during a difficult time.