Nursing Home Advocacy Group Warns against Common Sign of Neglect

Neglect in nursing homes can be downright deadly. Aside from the fact that patients may be denied important treatments that are required for their continued wellbeing, the neglect itself may cause certain, potentially deadly, conditions to arise. The Nursing Home Complaint Center, a patient advocacy group, recently put out a press release detailing a very dangerous, and all too common, manifestation of neglect.

Septic Shock

Septic shock, sometimes referred to as sepsis, sometimes occurs without elderly neglect being a factor, but repeated incidences are reasons for suspicion. This condition arises when the body reacts to the presence of an infection in a way that puts the sufferer's life in danger. In severe cases, there is an array of deadly symptoms that occur. There is an infection, first and foremost, and the body launches an inflammatory response in an attempt to fight it. In cases of severe sepsis, there is also organ dysfunction involved, which oftentimes requires that the person be rushed to the ICU if they are to have any chance of surviving the episode. Of course, elderly people are at a much higher risk of dying from such a devastating combination of factors.

What it Means

When this happens over and over again, you have reason to suspect that the nursing home is not providing adequate care to your loved one. Specifically, this is related to hygiene. When people who are more or less bedbound aren't cleaned properly, they're exposed to a host of potentially infectious organisms and, when their body reacts with septic shock, they may well perish from the condition. If this happens more than once, you need to seriously assess whether the nursing home your loved one is in is actually a competent facility. Even if they are competent overall, they may be guilty of being negligent in regards to properly attending to the hygiene of their patients.

A Lawyer may Help

Contacting a lawyer about nursing home negligence may help you to get compensation for the injuries, hospital bills and other expenses these episodes may cause. In the event that your loved one dies of such a condition, they may be liable for a wrongful death action. These lawsuits are intended to provide for the survivors. If your loved one is having continued cases of septic shock, it is not a good sign as far as the facility they're in is concerned. Moving them may be advisable.

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