Infections In Nursing Homes Occur through Lack Of Hygiene, Bed Sores and Pressure Ulcers, and Just Plain Neglect says Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer Steven Peck

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Law January 26th, 2013 3 min read

During your research of proper skilled nursing facilities for your elderly or disabled family member, you may have learned about nursing home abuse. One issue that results from abuse and neglect is infections. Infections can occur through lack of proper hygiene, through bed sores, presure sores also known as decubitus ulcers, improper food safety, and building safety.

There are two highly common infections that are seen in nursing homes: MRSA and VSRA. These are not the only two infections and health problems. Focus are on these two because they are the more common issues.

MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a bacterium that is highly difficult to treat once a patient is infected. It is known by other names like Oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. By definition it means the strain is resistant to antibiotics like penicillin. It is found in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) because these individuals may have open wounds or susceptible immune systems.

Signs of MRSA

Signs of MRSA include respiratory issues, infections around open wounds such as bed sores, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers, and urinary tract issues. To discover if a resident has this bacterium a swab of the nostrils and a microscope examination for the bacterium is needed. It does not take long for MRSA to worsen. Usually the initial symptoms appear in 24 to 48 hours, and after 72 hours it is resistant to treatment. MRSA can be prevented with proper cleaning and care of patients. Treatment is through vancomycin or teicoplanin and if used early enough can stop the infection before death can occur.

Signs of VRSA

VRSA is vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. VRSA can result from treatment of MRSA with vancomycin and teicoplanin. The patient may become resistant to the original infection, as well as the drug being used to stop the infection from spreading. This particular bacterium is rarer than MRSA, but it does occur with increasing regularity. The bacteria will thicken the cell walls depleting the amount of vancomycin that enters the blood stream and kills the bacteria. Patients with this infection must be isolated to avoid spreading it throughout the rest of the SNF. They may also have to be placed on a pump to clean out their system of the vancomycin before trying another drug. The bacterium has to be isolated in the body to help eradicate it.

Looking for Risk Factors

VRSA and MRSA are just two inflectional bacterium found in SNFs that you should look for before placing a loved one. To keep residents at SNFs free of this inflectional bacterium the staff must provide proper housekeeping, hygiene, and keep to federal and state regulations regarding care facilities.

Share it

Questions? Check with Peck Today

Blog Lead Form

Elder Abuse and Neglect in Assisted Living Facilities

Elopement in Nursing Homes

Assisted Living Abuse

Settlement Reached in Assisted Living Facility Death

Assisted Living Abuse and Neglect Attorneys

Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.