If your loved one suddenly develops sepsis while in a nursing home, it could have a significant, even fatal impact on their health. Nursing homes are responsible for ensuring that residents are well cared for to prevent illnesses from getting worse or spreading to others.
At PKSD, we are here to help families seek justice for loved ones harmed by nursing home abuse and neglect. If you suspect that your family member’s health is being compromised in a nursing home, we encourage you to seek legal help from our trusted Santa Fe nursing home abuse attorneys.
Learn more about your legal options during a free consultation with one of our highly qualified attorneys today. Our firm does not charge any upfront costs for our legal services. We only get paid if we win your case.
Schedule a free consultation today: 505-677-7777.
How Do Nursing Home Patients Become Septic?
Nursing home residents are vulnerable to developing sepsis through several concerning pathways. Here is how this life-threatening condition often happens:
Untreated Infections
If healthcare providers fail to identify and treat common infections properly, they can rapidly progress to sepsis. Common types of infections that could lead to sepsis include:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) from improper catheter care
- Pressure sores (bedsores) that become infected
- Respiratory infections, like pneumonia
- Digestive system infections
- Unnoticed wound infections
Poor Hygiene Practices
Unclean living environment, such as dirty bathrooms and unclean linens, could lead to an environment where bacteria thrives. Vulnerable residents living in these unclean conditions are more likely to contract an infection through open wounds or UTIs. Left untreated, these infections can then lead to sepsis.
Facilities are legally responsible for maintaining cleanliness by implementing procedures that everyone must follow. Nurses and other caregivers must wash their hands frequently, especially when entering and exiting residents’ rooms.
The likelihood of residents becoming septic significantly increase when staff fail to maintain a clean environment, such as by:
- Infrequent handwashing by staff members
- Improper cleaning of shared equipment
- Unsanitary wound care procedures
- Poor bathroom hygiene assistance
- Failure to change soiled clothing or bedding
Medical Procedure Complications
Specific medical interventions carry infection risks that require careful monitoring. If a nurse does not correctly maintain IV lines, it could lead to infections. Other scenarios that could lead to infections may include:
- Feeding tubes that are not properly maintained and cleaned
- Catheters left in place too long
- Post-surgery wounds that are not monitored or properly treated
- Dialysis access points with improper management
Weakened Immune Systems
In some facilities, many nursing home residents have compromised immune functions, which makes them more vulnerable to certain illnesses. For those residents, severe medical conditions can impact their ability to fight infections, including:
- Chronic conditions, like diabetes, that weaken a resident’s ability to fight infection
- Malnutrition is another condition that weakens the body’s immune system
- Certain medications suppress immune function
- Dehydration compromises natural barriers against infection
How Could Neglect in Nursing Homes Lead to Sepsis?
When nursing homes fail to provide proper care, several forms of neglect can directly lead to life-threatening sepsis. One example is if a staff member does not regularly reposition immobile residents. Pressure ulcers can quickly develop. These wounds break through the skin’s protective barrier, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Even minor bedsores can progress to widespread infection and sepsis without prompt treatment.
Failure to Monitor Residents’ Changes
Nursing homes are required to monitor all their residents. Early sepsis signs often appear subtle, particularly in elderly residents. Neglectful facilities miss critical warning signs like slight temperature elevations and increased confusion or lethargy.
Medication Errors
Medication mistakes can lead directly to sepsis when antibiotics are not administered as prescribed. Taking the wrong doses, doubling it or skipping medication could lead to sepsis.
Inadequate Staff Training
Poorly trained staff may not recognize infection risks or early sepsis signs. Failing to follow infection control protocols could lead to inconsistent treatment and resident care. Someone who is not qualified or trained does not understand proper wound care techniques that may prevent sepsis.
Who May Be Liable When Residents Develop Sepsis?
When nursing home residents develop sepsis, multiple parties may bear legal responsibility. However, determining liability often requires a thorough investigation to identify every party whose negligence contributed to the resident developing sepsis. These parties may include:
Nursing Home Owners and Operators
The corporate entities that own and operate facilities often bear primary responsibility for sepsis cases. They create the policies, staffing levels and care standards that directly impact resident safety.
These companies may be liable for implementing inadequate infection control protocols and setting dangerous staff-to-resident ratios.
Direct Care Staff
Individual caregivers who fail to fulfill their duties may share liability.
- Nurses who ignore infection warning signs
- Aides who do not follow handwashing protocols
- Staff who fail to reposition immobile residents
- Employees who do not provide proper hygiene care
- Workers who neglect wound treatment procedures
Medical Directors and Physicians
Doctors responsible for resident care may be liable when they do not respond promptly to infection reports and inadequate treatment plans. Additionally, doctors may be considered negligent if they provide incorrect directions to nurses and other staff members if it leads to harm or injury to residents.
Outside Contractors
Contractors who provide additional services to nursing homes could be liable if a resident has sepsis. Below are some examples of how contractors may become liable:
- Medical equipment suppliers providing contaminated items
- Wound care specialists delivering substandard treatment
- Therapy providers not reporting concerning symptoms
- Laboratory services delaying critical test results
- Pharmacy services making medication errors
What Steps Should Nursing Homes Take When Residents Have Sepsis?
When sepsis develops in a nursing home resident, immediate and appropriate action can make a difference. Properly trained staff should identify sepsis symptoms like temperature change and rapid breathing before they become critical.
After staff recognize the symptoms of sepsis, they must immediately contact the resident’s physician. Medical assessments can help determine how sepsis should be treated. Following the treatment guidelines is critical for the well-being of residents and helps prevent future incidents.
Nursing homes should also communicate with families. Discussing treatment plan options and explaining the situation honestly is ethical and practical.
Call PKSD if Your Loved One Suffers from Nursing Home Negligence
Sepsis in nursing homes often results from preventable negligence and inadequate care practices. Residents face life-threatening consequences when infection warning signs are missed or proper protocols are not followed.
At PKSD, we are here to help guide you and your family through the legal process. Nursing home abuse and negligence laws can get complex. If you have any questions regarding a nursing home abuse or neglect incident, call us for a free consultation.
Contact PKSD at: 505-677-7777 to discuss your legal options
