Nursing homes are meant to provide a safe and comfortable environment for elderly individuals who require assistance with daily tasks. However, instances of negligence in nursing homes can put residents at risk of developing infections. Viral or bacterial infections can spread rapidly within these facilities due to various factors, and for patients who are vulnerable to harm, these diseases can be life-threatening. For families who have loved ones who have experienced dangerous infections in nursing homes, it is important to understand the forms of negligence that may have put their family members at risk.

Poor Hygiene Practices

One of the primary ways infections can spread in nursing homes is through a failure to maintain proper hygiene. Staff members must adhere to strict guidelines when it comes to handwashing, cleaning surfaces, and providing proper personal care. They must also maintain clean living spaces for residents by regularly cleaning communal areas like dining rooms, bathrooms, and hallways, as well as individual resident rooms. Failure to do so can lead to cross-contamination between residents, who may experience infections such as respiratory illnesses, skin infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and gastrointestinal issues.

Improper handling and disposal of soiled linens or waste products may also contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. Equipment that is not properly disinfected after each use also poses a risk of spreading harmful pathogens throughout a facility. Residents who are exposed to unsanitary conditions are likely to experience higher rates of respiratory infections like pneumonia, or they may develop urinary tract infections due to unclean bathroom facilities.

As our bodies age, natural changes occur that can make everyday activities more difficult. Eating and drinking, activities most of us take for granted throughout our lives, become much more challenging for many elderly adults. For those who live in nursing homes or assisted living centers, choking hazards are particularly dangerous because staff usually have to manage the needs of several residents at once. When a nursing home is understaffed or employees are poorly trained, residents can choke and suffer serious injuries and even death. If you have a loved one who has suffered from Illinois nursing home negligence in a choking incident, read on. 

How Common are Choking Accidents in Nursing Homes? 

Choking incidents are alarmingly common in the elderly population. Over half of people who die from choking every year in the United States are older than 74, making nursing home residents especially vulnerable to this dangerous risk. There are many reasons for this, including: 

• Reduced saliva - Saliva thins and production is reduced in elderly people, making it harder to break down food in the mouth and lubricate it as it moves down the throat. 

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Residents of Illinois nursing homes have long faced challenges in getting the standard of care they are entitled to by law. High staff turnover, low pay, overcrowded rooms, inadequate staffing, and other cost-cutting measures put stress on staff and place residents at risk of nursing home abuse and neglect. Recently, some of these challenges have been explored by the Illinois Senate Health Committee, which last month weighed in on a new payment structure meant to incentivize better staffing and quality of care. 

Poor Payment Structure Leads to Adverse Outcomes

Many fear that Illinois’ current payment model continues to allow Medicaid dollars to essentially fund profits for facility owners while allowing low regulatory compliance and underpaid and overworked staff. In turn, this leads to lower standards of care for residents with serious consequences for their health and well-being. Although it remains to be seen whether Illinois will improve its payment models and successfully incentivize better standards of care, in the meantime, Illinois residents with loved ones in nursing homes should be familiar with common types of nursing home neglect and abuse. 

Injuries Caused by Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Illinois

It may be painful to think about a loved elder being abused or neglected, but being on the alert for signs of abuse or neglect can help stop it from happening and could even prevent it in the future. Some of the most common issues that affect nursing home residents include: 

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities provide essential services for many people who are elderly or disabled. Those who are unable to care for themselves can benefit by living in a facility where staff members can make sure they are receiving the proper medical treatment and nutrition while also socializing with others and participating in activities they enjoy. Unfortunately, some nursing homes do not provide the proper care for their residents. This may occur because a facility is understaffed or because staff members do not have the proper training to address patients’ needs. In these cases, residents may suffer serious harm due to nursing home neglect, including injuries such as bedsores or falls.

Neglect Leading to Injuries for Nursing Home Residents

A nursing home’s staff should provide the necessary assistance to address a resident’s daily needs. If a facility does not have enough staff members to fully provide for everyone’s needs, or if staff fail to regularly check on patients and address any issues they are experiencing, a person can suffer serious harm. Bedsores and falls can affect patients in these cases, and they can not only cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, but they can have a negative impact on a person’s overall health.

Bedsores can occur when a person remains in one position for a long period of time. In these cases, the pressure placed on different parts of the body can restrict blood flow, leading to painful sores. Nursing home residents who cannot move about freely may be confined to a bed or wheelchair, and if staff members do not ensure that they adjust their position regularly, they may experience bedsores in areas such as the back of the legs, buttocks, shoulder blades, or heels. When left untreated, bedsores may cause damage to the skin and the underlying tissue, and they can also lead to dangerous infections.

Unfortunately, misdiagnosis is a common occurrence regardless of your age. It can be difficult to pin down the exact number of individuals suffering due to misdiagnosis, as some of these cases go unknown. However, a 2014 article from CBS reported that approximately 12 million American adults who received outpatient medical care were misdiagnosed. This equates to about 1 in 20 adult patients. According to the National Academy of Medicine, it is likely that everyone in the United States will experience a misdiagnosis at least once in his or her lifetime. These cases are exceedingly dangerous for older patients, especially those in nursing homes who rely on the judgment of nursing home medical professionals and employees. Having a general knowledge of commonly misdiagnosed illnesses can help you protect your beloved family member.

Misdiagnosis Versus Missed Diagnosis

There are two types of incorrect diagnoses that can occur, missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. A missed diagnosis occurs when a doctor fails to diagnose the patient with any illness even though the patient has an illness or disease that he or she is currently enduring. This is not uncommon for illnesses that have minor or dormant symptoms. A misdiagnosis also deals with inaccurate care but in a different manner. Rather than not being diagnosed at all, patients are diagnosed with the wrong disease or illness. A misdiagnosis will often have doctors prescribing incorrect medication as well. Not only will the real disease not be treated properly, but it can also lead to dangerous side effects from the drugs that they have been taking to battle the misdiagnosed condition.