4 Nursing Home Negligence Instances That Can Be Deadly

Nursing homes are meant to provide extensive care for patients. When you admit a loved one to nursing care, you expect the care facility to provide the necessary medications and care for your loved one. However, many care homes are notorious for providing substandard care, often resulting in life-threatening injuries and even death. Furthermore, they have the lawyers and resources to defend themselves should someone sue them for negligence care.

This is why it pays to know various instances when such facilities may lead to care negligence before you or your loved one's health is affected. Read on to learn about such negligence instances and tips on dealing with them.

Bedsores

Nursing home patients often die from bedsores, also called pressure ulcers. These sores form when people remain in the same position for too long. Many people who suffer from chronic pressure sores experience wounds that break down and decay. Bedsores are extremely painful and can take weeks or even months to heal. If they become infected, bedsores may lead to life-threatening sepsis. Moreover, the wounds may become so large that they require surgical removal. As a result, patients who suffer from bedsores are at risk of developing life-threatening infections and other complications.

There are four stages of bedsores, with each stage becoming more serious than the last. Nursing home staff should regularly reposition patients confined to a bed or a chair to prevent bedsores. However, staff members often are too busy or don't care, leading to bedsores. If you notice your loved one has bedsores, notify the nursing home staff and ask them to take appropriate action.

Medication Errors

One of the most common ways in which nursing homes cause harm to patients is through medication errors. These errors can happen in various ways, including prescribing the wrong medication, giving the wrong dosage, or failing to give the medication at all. Medication errors can lead to serious health problems, including organ damage, infection, and even death.

Nursing staff must know how to dispense medications. They should also double-check all medications before giving them to patients. You may also seek legal representation for your overdose if you think the staff was negligent with the medications.

Falls

Falls are another leading cause of injury and death in nursing homes. Patients who are elderly or have dementia are at particularly high risk for falls. To prevent falls, nursing home staff should conduct regular fall risk assessments of all patients and take measures to address any identified risks. For example, they may install grab bars in the patient's bathroom or bedroom or provide them with a wheelchair if they cannot walk.

However, this is not the case in reality. As a result, patients may suffer fractures, head injuries, and even death. If your loved one has fallen in a nursing home, notify the staff and make sure the issue is addressed. Consider hiring a lawyer if you think the staff doesn't take corrective measures, and a lawsuit may need to be filed.

Malnutrition and Dehydration

Many nursing home patients suffer from malnutrition and dehydration because they lack proper nutrition or hydration. This can happen for various reasons, including inadequate staffing, poor food quality, and patients' inability to feed themselves. Malnutrition and dehydration can lead to various health problems, including organ damage, infection, and even death.

The staff should ensure that patients get enough to eat and drink and monitor patients for signs of malnutrition and dehydration, such as weight loss, dry mouth, and dizziness. If you notice that your loved one is suffering from malnutrition or dehydration, inform the caregivers or staff and seek corrective action.

Final Word

Nursing homes are supposed to be safe places for our elderly loved ones. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Don't hesitate to take action if you think your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect.