When your loved one develops sepsis in a nursing home, it may sometimes reflect gaps in routine monitoring and care by the facility. Understanding how sepsis develops, what facilities must do to prevent it and what Missouri law may offer can help you protect your loved one’s rights.
How an untreated minor infection can develop into sepsis in nursing homes
Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in the urinary tract, lungs or gastrointestinal tract. When staff miss warning signs such as fever, a high heart rate or shortness of breath, the resident’s condition can rapidly deteriorate and cause sepsis. Furthermore, a delayed treatment of sepsis can cause tissue damage, organ failure or even death.
A nursing home’s duty of care to its residents
Federal and state laws require care facilities to uphold a specific standard of care to protect residents. Under federal regulations, nursing homes must provide necessary treatment to prevent pressure ulcers and infections. Meanwhile, Missouri guidelines mandate that facilities establish active infection prevention programs to maintain a safe and sanitary environment.
When a facility fails to meet this standard of care and that failure contributes to a resident’s development of sepsis, Missouri law may provide residents and their families with legal recourse under the state’s Omnibus Nursing Home Act.
What to do if you suspect nursing home negligence
Learning that your loved one developed sepsis while in nursing home care can raise urgent and serious questions about the care they received. Working with an attorney experienced in nursing home negligence cases can help you choose the right legal path forward to protect your family’s rights.
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