Seniors with Bedsore Injuries Are at Risk of Septic Shock, Death
More than one million people in the United States suffer from septic shock annually, according to the National Center for Health Statistics for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of these people are seniors in nursing homes.
Sepsis is a serious, life-threatening medical condition that is caused by infection. It is often the case that people who suffer from sepsis get the infection while being treated in a hospital or a nursing home. When a patient has a small cut that goes untreated, or that is improperly treated, the area around the cut can become swollen and inflamed, ultimately leading to septic shock.
Sepsis Infections Caused by Bedsores
The reality is that some of the most vulnerable members of society when it comes to septic shock are seniors. That’s because many seniors who are patients in nursing homes don’t receive the treatment or care they need in order to avoid bedsore injuries (also known as “decubitus ulcers”).
Some nursing home patients require assistance in order to move their bodies while in bed. When the nursing home staff neglects the patient and fails to reposition the patient’s body every so often, bacteria can quickly develop and cause the patient to develop sepsis.
An elderly patient with sepsis can potentially suffer catastrophic organ failure that results in death. The initial symptoms of sepsis may include high fever, rapid heart rate and difficulty breathing, followed by a complete shutdown of the body.
Worse yet, sepsis can be particularly catastrophic for seniors who already have weakened immune systems and whose health may not allow them to fend off a sepsis infection.
Preventing and Treating Bedsore Injuries
Most bedsores should be preventable – so long as nursing home staff members do their jobs. Unfortunately, many nursing homes are understaffed and insufficiently funded. The end result is that some nursing home patients may suffer adverse health conditions because they are not properly cared for.
If your elderly loved one has developed a bedsore injury, sometimes called a decubitus ulcer, it is imperative that they receive immediate medical treatment so that they can recover from their injury and avoid the most serious, and potentially deadly, consequences.
At the same time, it is also crucial that you hold the negligent nursing home responsible for their healthcare failures so that the same mistakes are not made again in the future.
If your elderly loved one has suffered an injury or illness as a result of negligence by nursing home staff, you should talk to a qualified nursing home abuse lawyer. Barry Sugarman is an experienced New Jersey nursing home abuse and negligence attorney who will protect your elderly loved one and make sure they get the treatment they need, want and deserve. Contact Mr. Sugarman today to schedule a free consultation.
