Five days after it banned new patients from entering the Bristol Nursing Home in Bristol, TN, the state Health Department decided the facility was “in compliance” and could accept residents again. “[Conditions leading to] ‘immediate jeopardy’ citations have been corrected,” said the Health Department’s announcement, in late April. “Immediate Jeopardy” situations are “crisis” situations… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Common Terms
Subscribe to Common Terms RSS FeedWhat Is Hypostatic Blood Pressure & Why Is There An Associated ‘Fall Risk’?
Posted in Common Terms, Frequently Asked Questions, Nursing Home FallsToo we look to environmental causes of falls….cluttered hallways…improperly footwear…yet in many fall-related situations the real ’cause’ of the fall lies within the person herself… Hypotension (low blood pressure) is a problem for many nursing home residents, causing dizziness and fainting. Blood pressure readings measure the pressure in arteries – systolic pressure (the top… Continue Reading
Incontinence Amongst The Nursing Home Population
Posted in Bed Sores, Pressure Sores, Decubitus Ulcers & Pressure Ulcers, Common TermsMy office was recently retained by the family of a woman who developed pressure sores on her buttocks and vagina in a Chicago nursing home. When asked, the family was unsure if their loved one was technically ‘incontinent’. After reviewing the woman’s chart, it was obvious that the woman was incontinent and the nursing home… Continue Reading
Statute Of Limitations For Bringing A Nursing Home Lawsuit
Posted in Common Terms, Frequently Asked Questions"How long do I have to bring a case against a negligent nursing home?" The answer depends on where the incident took place. The time to bring a lawsuit against the a nursing home is governed by the statute of limitations where the incident occurred. Most states have specific statute of limitations for personal injury… Continue Reading
Wrongful Death
Posted in Common Terms, Wrongful DeathI have used the term ‘wrongful death’ in many posts and was asked recently: What exactly does wrongful death consist of? ‘Wrongful death’ is usually associated with a legal cause of action on behalf of the person who died but also on behalf of the people close to the deceased who depended on the… Continue Reading
Power Of Attorney For Healthcare
Posted in Abuse In Chicago Nursing Homes & Other Communities Within Illinois, Common TermsMost people use Power of Attorney and Power of Attorney for Healthcare interchangeably. A Power of Attorney delegates who you wish to make healthcare decisions should you become unable to do so. You may specify what life extending procedures, if any, you desire. You may further specify the dates which the Power of Attorney is… Continue Reading
Sepsis
Posted in Bed Sores, Pressure Sores, Decubitus Ulcers & Pressure Ulcers, Common Terms, Infections In Nursing Homes‘Sepsis’ is a bacterial infection in the bloodstream or body tissues commonly found in people with advanced bed sores (also referred to as pressure ulcer, decubitus ulcer or pressure ulcer). In order to make a diagnosis of sepsis, at least two of the following must occur: a heart rate above 90 beats per minute, hyperventilation… Continue Reading
Do-Not-Resuscitate Order / DNR
Posted in Common TermsEnd of life decisions are a difficult and often awkward decision for people to make. However, an open discussion on the subject will provide immediate family members with the ability to make informed decisions when they need to. A DNR order does not give a nursing home the right to withhold medical treatment. Similarly, if… Continue Reading
Power Of Attorney For Property
Posted in Common TermsMany people do not want to think about the future. They cringe to think about the days when they are old and are unable to care for themselves. Most of us do not want to even consider the reality that we may not be able to make decisions for ourselves. I frequently have family members… Continue Reading
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Posted in Common TermsDefinition: A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a blow to the head that results in a disruption of the normal brain functioning. TBI’s may range from a brief change in cognitive functioning to an extended period of unconsciousness. (Source: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control) TBI’s are some of the more common injuries sustained… Continue Reading