Inadequate Sanitation Can Lead to Dangerous Illnesses in Nursing Homes

 Posted on September 07, 2020 in Neglect

When people think about nursing home and neglect, images of overmedicated or malnourished residents may come to mind. However, nursing home neglect is not always this obvious. In fact, one of the least visible forms of nursing home negligence is also one of the most dangerous. The problem of inadequate sanitation may not be immediately obvious, but it can have deadly consequences for residents. When nursing home staff do not keep the facility clean, viruses and bacteria can spread rapidly endangering the lives of the residents who call the facility home.

Residents Are Vulnerable to Illness and Infection

Everyone knows that it is important to wash your hands frequently in order to prevent the spread of disease. Proper hygiene is especially crucial for workers in medical facilities such as nursing homes. When nursing home staff fail to wash their hands between assisting residents, they can transfer pathogens from one resident to the next. If the facility itself is not properly sanitized, germs have the opportunity to multiply and spread throughout the building. Residents who are elderly or have weakened immune systems are particularly prone to disease and infections. They can become sick rapidly. If staff do not recognize the signs of the illness and provide the necessary medical treatment right away, the illness could prove fatal.

Unsanitary conditions in nursing homes are often the result of overworked and undertrained employees. Many nursing homes are extremely understaffed. Staff may fail to practice good hygiene or maintain a sanitary facility because they forget this essential task or because they wrongly assume that sanitation is not a high priority.

Consequences of Improper Sanitation

Unsanitary restrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and medical equipment increase the chances of residents becoming ill. Residents may develop serious infections including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or staph infections which are resistant to typical antibiotics. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are also common in unsanitary nursing homes. UTIs are not only painful, but they can also exacerbate the symptoms of dementia. Dirty catheters and breathing tubes are often the culprit of infections such as these. Pneumonia and influenza are infections that can cause severe illness or death in disabled and elderly residents. When nursing homes do not take the steps necessary to prevent the spread of disease, they may be liable for a resident’s illness or death.

Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer

There is no excuse for poor sanitation in a nursing home facility. If you or your loved one were harmed due to inadequate sanitation or another form of nursing home negligence, contact Schwartz injury Law to learn about your legal options. Call us at 312-535-4625 and schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled Cook County nursing home neglect attorneys today.

Sources:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/urinary-tract-infections-in-people-with-dementia-3573873

https://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/community/environment/index.html