Infections in Canton Nursing Homes

Anytime multiple people live in close quarters, infections are a concern. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), over 1.5 million Americans live in 16,000 nursing homes across the U.S. and experience an average of 2 million infections each year.

Infections are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, extended hospital stays, rehospitalizations, and substantial healthcare expenses.

While infections do occur in Canton nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, these facilities should have a strict protocol in place to help prevent and minimize rampant infections. If a facility continually has an issue with widespread infections, it’s a red flag of negligent practices.

If your loved one has been injured because of a preventable infection in a nursing home, the experienced Canton nursing home abuse attorneys at Geiger Legal Group can help. We hold nursing homes, long-term care facilities, doctors, nurses, and nursing home staff responsible when their negligent practices cause widespread infections that injure a resident.

Canton, GA Nursing Home Guidelines to Prevent and Contain Infections

Federal regulations mandate nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have an Infection Control Program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment. It helps to prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection.

Facilities must include program oversight, evidenced-based procedures, surveillance, education, and procedures for the appropriate use of antibiotics and other necessary medications.

Some of the necessary guidelines include, but are not limited to:

• Surveillance to help staff identify trends and avoid a potential outbreak.
• Education that enables staff to identify infections.
• Prevention by implementing various protocols such as:
  • Washing hands or using hand sanitizer multiple times each shift
  • Wearing gloves and other necessary protective clothing
  • Using sterile equipment
  • Disposing of or cleaning used equipment properly
  • Cleaning linens properly

When an infection is discovered, residents should be isolated to help prevent it from spreading.

Other preventative measures include:

• Monitor negative air pressure.
• Filter air before circulating it to other parts of the facility.
• Provide respiratory protection.
• Require all employees and visitors wear a mask when entering the building.
• Provide adequate handwashing stations and/or hand sanitizer stations throughout the building.
• Prevent employees, residents, or guests, who have not had certain diseases such as chickenpox, shingles, or measles – or have not been vaccinated against them – from entering the room of an infected resident.
• Procedures and diagnostic tests should be performed in the infected resident’s room.
• Any infected resident should be required to wear a mask when leaving their room.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary water supply.

Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are required to properly gather, document, and list surveillance data. The facility’s infection control report should be detailed and describe the types of infections to help identify any trends or patterns.

Contact an Experienced Elder Abuse Attorney in Canton, GA

If you suspect your loved one has an infection because of negligent practices at a nursing home or other long-term care facility, contact us today. We can help determine whether the infection is a direct result of negligent practices by the nurses, doctors, or staff at the facility. We can also research past outbreaks at the facility and determine whether a violation of federal regulations was a factor in the spread of the infection.

At Geiger Legal Group, we strive to form genuine connections with all our clients so that we can provide each client with the focused support that they and their families need and deserve. We work diligently to build an effective, thoughtful legal strategy that gives our clients the best chance at recovering maximum compensation.

If your family has a loved one that was victimized by nursing home abuse or neglect, contact Geiger Legal Group today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the details of your case, and to learn more about your legal rights and options.