Types of Nursing Home Negligence

 Posted on December 15, 2023 in Nursing Home Neglect

Choosing a nursing home for your loved one is an important and difficult decision. You want to ensure they receive quality care in a safe environment. However, sometimes nursing homes fail to uphold adequate standards of care, resulting in negligence and harm to residents. Being aware of what constitutes negligence can help identify warning signs of abuse or inadequate care. An Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can help you and your family if you have proof of nursing home negligence.

Failure to Prevent Bed Sores and Infections

One of the most common issues in nursing homes failing to take proper measures to prevent infections and bed sores. Bed sores, also called pressure ulcers, develop when a patient stays in one position too long without shifting weight. Nursing home staff must reposition immobile patients every two hours to prevent this. They also must check the skin for redness and immediately implement wound care plans for any sores. Failure to do this simple prevention leads to painful, infected wounds that can be life-threatening.

Medication Errors

Another prevalent problem is medication mix-ups and errors. Nursing homes have complex medication administration systems for multiple residents. Careless mistakes like giving the wrong dosage or wrong medication entirely occur too frequently. Residents can experience severe, agonizing reactions to these errors. The effects range from allergic reactions and organ damage to overdoses and death. Thoroughly tracking administration and ordering could prevent many life-altering errors.

Inadequate Fall Precautions

Falls rank among the most reported incidents in nursing homes. Residents struggle with mobility and balance issues. Nursing home staff must evaluate each senior’s fall risk and implement suitable precautions. This can involve ensuring mobility aids are within reach, beds are at proper heights, call buttons are accessible, and anti-slip socks or shoes stay on at all times. Neglecting even simple solutions can lead to catastrophic falls causing broken bones, head trauma, or disability.

Preventable Dehydration and Malnutrition

Nursing home residents often suffer from improper nutrition and hydration. Staff might overlook denture cleaning and insertion, feeding assistance, food preferences, or supplemental shakes or vitamins needed. Failing to carry out dietitians’ meal plans shows neglect. Staff also might not encourage or assist drinking enough fluids, especially for seniors with dementia or disabilities. This willful failure to provide adequate hydration and nutrition can quickly lead to urinary tract infections, pneumonia, bedsores, confusion, and even death. It demonstrates an appalling disregard for resident health and safety.

Contact a Springfield, IL Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If your loved one experiences any form of negligence or abuse in their nursing facility, working with a Peoria, IL nursing home abuse attorney can help. We can investigate what happened, collect supporting medical evidence, and file a nursing home negligence lawsuit on your behalf if grounds exist. You deserve answers and compensation for harm caused by neglect. Call Kanoski Bresney at 888-826-8682 for a free consultation.