Nursing Home Blamed For Un-checked Urinary Tract Infection
One of the more common nursing home injuries that I see commonly involves the development of a urinary tract infection during an admission to a facility. Commonly referred to as a UTI, a urinary tract infection can involve any of the part of the urinary system comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most UTI's are caused by bacteria from the colon that gets introduced to the urinary tract. However, particular patients with catheters, may develop UTI's when bacteria is introduced from other sources such as poor sanitation by staff at a skilled nursing facility. Women are significantly...
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Sepsis Lawsuit Alleges Caregivers Neglect To Blame For Patient's Death
The family of a deceased woman has filed a lawsuit against a large health care company that was responsible for maintaining her health. The lawsuit names Addus Healthcare as a defendant in two count complaint alleging that the companies negligence during a short-term stay, resulted in numerous medical complications that contributed to the patients death. Amongst the complications alleged include: Failing to treat the patients decubitus ulcers A urinary tract infection Sepsis Medical complications that went unannounced to physicians Read more about this recently filed lawsuit against Addus Healthcare pending in St. Clair County Circuit Court here. The threat of...
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New Medicare Report On Medical Errors In Hospitals Reinforces Ongoing Problems
There's some saying that has been jumbled back-and-forth about how many patients were feeling fine until they went to the hospital and got sick. Well, as corny as the saying may be, a trip to the hospital may be one of that last places you want to go--- particularly when you look at data released from Medicare concerning hospital safety data. After evaluating bills bills that hospitals submitted to Medicare for payment between October, 2008 and June, 2008, CMS, looked through the billing codes used to quantify the type of treatment provided to each patient. The results demonstrate that many...
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More Nursing Home Patients Suffer From Malnourishment Compared With People In Developing Countries
As is we need another statistic to confirm the extensive problems facing nursing home patients, here's some more fuel to add to the fire-- 35% to 85% of nursing home patients suffer from malnourishment according to a study published in Commonwealth Fund. In response to this epidemic, an international group of nutrition experts has released new definitions to help medical professionals better equip themselves to identify and treat malnutrition. According to the new guidelines, adult malnutrition can now be classified in one of three categories: Starvation-related Chronic disease-related Acute disease / injury-related. The new guidelines were assembled in conjunction with...
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Nursing Home Fined After Investigation Determines That Urinary Tract Infection Was Related To Poor Care
The California Department of Health has rendered its most severe citation (AA) and a $80,000 fine following an investigation into the death of an 86-year-old woman at Walnut Whitney Care Center (California). An investigation determined that the woman was admitted to the facility in March, 2008 for medical care related to injuries she sustained in a fall. Just five weeks after her initial admission, the woman was transferred to a hospital emergency room where she diagnosed as having septic shock. Less than 24-hours after her hospital admission she died from resulting complications. Specifically, the investigation determined that the nursing home...
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Sometimes Complications With Nursing Home Patients Are Not Disclosed Until They Arrive At A Hospital
Some of my angriest clients contact me after a loved one was transferred from a nursing home to another nursing home or hospital only to learn of serious medical problems their loved one likely acquired during their original admission. Of course, breaking disappointing news is difficult for anyone to do. Yet, in the case of nursing homes-- this is something they simply are required to do under the law. Similarly, nursing homes must notify the patients doctor if their condition deteriorates. I see many cases where there is no doubt an intention on the part of the original facility...
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Untreated Urinary Tract Infections In Nursing Home Patients May Result In Urosepsis
One of the most memorable cases I worked on involved a young man who was in a nursing home following a severe injuries he sustained in a construction accident. Due to the nature of the man's injuries, a catheter was used to drain urine from his bladder. Despite doctors orders to change the catheter every 30 days, months went by without any catheter change. In fact, six months went by without a catheter change. Finally, after six months without a catheter change, a nursing home employee recognized the obvious problems: cloudy / brownish urine and testicles extremely swollen due to...
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Lawsuit Highlights Problems At Washington Heights Nursing Home
A wrongful death lawsuit filed was recently filed on behalf of the Estate of Stanley Dancy against Washington Heights Nursing Home. The lawsuit alleges Mr. Dancy was admitted to the Chicago nursing home for rehabilitation for a recent illness. Within a month of his admission, Mr. Dancy developed four advanced-stage pressure sores, a urinary tract infection and malnourishment. The elderly man was sent to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment of his medical conditions. After receiving inpatient hospital treatment, Mr. Dancy was discharged to a different nursing home in the Chicago area. "Unfortunately, by that time, it was too late...
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Never Event #4: Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections
Catheter related urinary tract infections are the most frequently encountered infection amongst people in nursing homes. Generally, the longer a catheter is in place, the more likely an infection will develop. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infection rates range from 1% to 5% after a single brief catheterization to virtually 100% rate of infection for long-term catheter uses. The urinary tract is composed of the kidneys and urethra. As a rule, the 'higher up' the infection, the more serious it is. A lower urinary tract infection affects the urethra and bladder and can usually be...
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We All Need Water
Dehydration is a common problem amongst nursing home residents. Dehydration occurs when you do not drink adequate fluids or you lose fluids due to: sweating, vomiting or diarrhea. If an elderly person becomes dehydrated they are susceptible to cramps, organ malfunction, pressure sores and even death. Older people are particularly susceptible to dehydration because many elderly have the following conditions: Decreased thirst Kidneys that do not work well Choose to avoid liquids because of incontinence Have difficulty holding a glass Pain urinating Take medications decreasing urine output Inability to regulate body temperature Diabetes Inability to communicate Signs of dehydration include:...
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