Sepsis in Texas Nursing Homes; Is Neglect to Blame?

By Rasansky McKenzie

Is sepsis a sign of nursing home neglect?

Sepsis, an infection caused when bacteria enter the bloodstream through a wound, IV line, or catheter, is a leading cause of death in U.S nursing homes. Sepsis is treatable; yet nearly 215,000 people die from sepsis each year. Many of these people are nursing home residents who would have lived longer had they received proper care.
Sepsis in Texas nursing home residents can be a sign of understaffed facilities or of nursing home neglect. Sepsis often occurs when wounds that should have been treated are left unattended or when catheter and IV lines become contaminated.  Nursing homes have the responsibility to protect resident health and guard against infections.
To prevent sepsis, nursing home staff should check patients, especially those with mobility problems and/or diabetes, for sores that can become infected. When sores occur, they should be kept clean and covered and any infections should be treated immediately. Patients with catheters or IV lines should be monitored closely at all times so that infections are noticed immediately.
Symptoms of sepsis include:

• Rapid heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Sweating
• Fever
• Chills
• Confusion
• Skin rash

Sepsis can quickly turn into septic shock, an advanced infection that can cause an extreme drop in blood pressure, organ failure, heart failure, and death.
If your loved one contracted sepsis while a resident in a Texas nursing home, you may wonder if the infection is the result of nursing home neglect. According to our Dallas nursing home abuse attorneys, there are signs that indicate sepsis could have been prevented. These include:

• Resident has wounds or bedsores that have not been treated
• Resident wears the same clothing several days in a row
• Resident appears unwashed
• Resident does not have access to water for self-cleaning
• Linens are not changed or washed regularly
• Resident complains of neglect or delays in care
• Facility seems understaffed
• Staff members are inattentive
• Facility does not appear to be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis

If you suspect that your loved one’s sepsis was caused by abuse or neglect in a Dallas nursing home, you need to take action. Your loved one’s life and the lives of other residents are at risk. Contact a Dallas nursing home abuse lawyer at the Rasansky | McKenzie Law and learn how you can help your loved one.  To schedule a free legal consultation, call (214) 651-6100. For more information about nursing home abuse in Texas, request a free copy of Attorney Jeff Rasansky’s book, Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse.

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