Infections in New Jersey Nursing Homes

You probably made the decision to move your loved one to a nursing home because you believed it was in their best interests to ensure they can receive the best possible care. However, what happens when you suspect the nursing home that you trusted to care for your loved one actually harmed them, such as by an infection?

Infections in New Jersey nursing homes can result in devastating injuries and even lead to deaths. Our skilled nursing home abuse attorneys could investigate what happened and help your family fight for justice in a lawsuit.

Preventing Infections in Care Facilities

People who live in nursing homes are at an elevated risk of developing infections. They live near many other people who could be sick. They can also be exposed to infections through their interactions with caregivers who are sick themselves or who are treating sick residents.

In addition, many nursing home residents may have weakened immune systems. What would be a minor infection for a healthy adult can lead to devastating illness and even death for a resident in a New Jersey care facility.

Nursing homes have a duty to ensure their residents do not contract infections. Staff members should implement and adhere to strict hygiene rules. This includes regularly washing their hands after touching residents and using gloves to prevent transmission of an illness from one resident to another.

If a staff member is sick, they should try to minimize their direct contact with residents. Similarly, if a resident is sick, staff members should take quick action to keep the sick resident from infecting other people. Nursing homes should always be on alert to check for and quickly treat new illnesses before they can progress to serious infections or spread to other people.

Our attorneys can review a nursing home’s employee manual and other protocols to learn about the facility’s policies for treating and preventing infections. We can also interview staff members, residents, and other people familiar with the facility to learn how they address infections. We will search for proof showing that the nursing home that allowed your loved one to get sick from an infection failed to meet the standard of care expected for these facilities.

Common Types of Infections Occurring in Care Facilities

Many different types of infections can develop and spread in residential care facilities, such as New Jersey nursing homes.

Urinary Tract Infections

Bacterial urinary tract infections are common in nursing homes. This type of infection can be harder to diagnose in older people because of the different types of symptoms. Instead of showing pain, some older patients may experience signs that resemble dementia.

Skin Infections

As people get older, their skin becomes more prone to infections and takes longer to heal. Viral skin infections, such as pressure ulcers and shingles, can develop, along with bacterial infections, such as cellulitis and staph infections.

The Flu

While healthy adults can generally fight off the flu, older nursing home residents may become seriously ill or even die due to their weakened immune systems.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia can develop more commonly in older people due to changes in their lung capacity. This may make fighting off pneumonia harder for older people.

Gastrointestinal Infections

Gastrointestinal infections, such as helicobacter pylori, can lead to pain and long-term complications.

Our seasoned lawyers have successfully helped people whose loved ones have developed a wide variety of infections while residing in live-in care facilities.

Consult With an Attorney About Infections in Assisted Living Facilities in New Jersey

Nursing homes should provide people with quality care. They should be vigilant about preventing and treating infections in New Jersey nursing homes. If your loved one developed an infection and suffered, you will be eligible to seek damages in a lawsuit.

Contact us today, and consult with a knowledgeable local lawyer to learn more about your legal options.