SEPSIS IN TULSA NURSING HOMES
Nursing home residents are six times more likely to present with sepsis in an emergency room. Urinary and respiratory infections are common starting points for sepsis in elders. COVID-19 has emerged as another risk. Nursing home residents are also susceptible to sepsis from bedsores and skin tears.
The National Institutes of Health has said the morbidity rate for seniors with sepsis is substantially higher than for others.
CAREGIVERS CAN CAUSE SEPSIS
When anyone has sepsis, immediate and targeted treatment is vital for recovery. Not only should sepsis be aggressively addressed, but the underlying infection needs to be fought as well. Nursing home personnel must provide appropriate care.
Lack of appropriate care leading to and following sepsis can include:
- Not rotating your loved one in bed, causing bedsores that become infected
- Not treating skin tears, cuts, and other wounds
- Not exercising proper hygiene when caring for your loved one
- Failing to recognize early signs of infection
- Failing to refer your loved one to a doctor who can diagnose and treat the infection
SYSTEM FAILURES CAN CAUSE SEPSIS
Sometimes the deficiency of a caregiver is a sign of more wide-ranging inadequacies throughout the facility.
Poor hygiene and care practices at the nursing home can include:
- Staff members aren’t appropriately trained
- Improper staffing levels
- Bed linens aren’t changed and cleaned regularly
- Not bathing residents regularly
- Inattention to medical/health complaints
- Poor sanitation in washrooms and food preparation areas
- Common areas not properly sanitized
At Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC, we take the care of our Tulsa elders very seriously. We will be strong advocates to hold nursing homes accountable. Call us at 918-871-2294 for a free case evaluation.
WHAT IS SEPSIS?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 1.7 million people develop sepsis annually in the U.S. with almost 270,000 dying.
Sepsis doesn’t develop on its own. It develops from an infection that is already present but not properly treated. The original infection triggers an extreme reaction in the body, which damages its own tissues. What begins as a mild infection can become life-threatening. Sepsis can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
Some people have a higher risk for sepsis:
- 65 years old and older
- Weakened immune system
- Chronic medical conditions
- Use of devices such as intravenous catheters or breathing tubes
- Recent severe illness or hospitalization
- Children younger than 1 year
- Sepsis survivors
WHAT CAUSES SEPSIS?
Bacterial infections cause the most cases of sepsis, but viral and fungal infections can cause sepsis, too. Sepsis isn’t contagious, but the original infection might be spread to others.
The following infections more commonly result in sepsis:
- Wounds
- Burns
- Bloodstream
- Digestive system
- Urinary system
- Lungs
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SEPSIS?
If you believe your loved one has an infection that is worsening, get medical attention right away. The faster proper medical treatment is administered, the better the chance of survival.
A physician will run bloodwork and other diagnostics to confirm sepsis, but there are common symptoms:
- High heart rate or low blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- High respiratory rate
- Clammy skin
- Fever, shivering
- Extreme pain
Effective treatment of sepsis usually includes antibiotics and IV fluids.
STANDING UP AGAINST NURSING HOME ABUSE & NEGLECT
When you have grounds for a lawsuit against a nursing home for abuse or neglect, our legal team goes to work. We will collect evidence, consult with medical professionals, and doggedly pursue fair and just compensation.
