Antibiotics are supposed to kill bacteria. However, some bacteria survive antibiotics and begin to grow and multiply. Eventually, certain strains of bacteria become resistant to common antibiotics. Many experts blame the overuse of antibiotics for the rise in these so-called “superbugs.”

For vulnerable nursing home residents, superbugs are a potentially deadly threat. Nursing home staff must take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of bacteria in the facility and keep residents as safe as possible. Failure to maintain a clean, hygienic facility and use appropriate measures to prevent the spread of bacteria can lead to avoidable infections.

Nursing Homes Must Take Steps to Reduce Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Nursing homes have a legal duty to ensure a reasonably safe and hygienic facility. Residents in nursing homes are already vulnerable to infections due to compromised immune systems and other health problems. Not every infection can be prevented, but nursing home staff must take reasonable steps to reduce the chances of a patient being infected by bacteria and other pathogens.

For most of us, eating is something that we do without giving it much thought. We may eat while watching TV, working, or even driving. However, the risk of choking while eating is always present, and this risk is especially severe for nursing home residents.

Residents in a nursing home are at an increased risk of injury or death caused by choking on food. Many residents are elderly and have reduced muscle mass which can make it difficult to swallow food. Others are on medication that causes dry mouth or other symptoms that make eating more challenging.

Nursing homes have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent residents from choking. If a nursing home resident is injured or killed due to a choking incident, the nursing home may be liable for damages in a nursing home injury or death claim.

Nursing homes help residents with everyday needs like bathing and eating. However, nursing home staff are also expected to provide medical care, if needed. When they fail to provide appropriate medical care, or when there is a delay in providing such care, the resident or the resident's surviving family may be able to file a claim against the facility and recover compensation for damages. A successful claim requires evidence that the nursing home staff failed in their duty of care towards the resident and that this failure caused an injury or illness.

When is a Nursing Home Required to Provide Medical Treatment?

Nursing home staff are primarily responsible for routine medical needs such as administering medication and helping with daily living tasks. If a resident requires immediate emergency medical care or has medical needs above and beyond the facility's capabilities, the nursing home must secure the appropriate treatment for the resident. This may require ambulance transportation to a hospital.

Failure to Provide Medical Treatment or Delay in Providing Treatment

If a nursing home fails to provide medical treatment or take the steps needed to secure additional care, then the facility may be held liable for negligence. Medical negligence can also occur when a nursing home fails to recognize the signs of a serious medical condition. For example, if staff do not recognize signs of a stroke, the resident may not receive the help he or she needs in a timely manner, resulting in brain damage or death.

Most would agree that nursing home staff and medical professionals have extremely demanding jobs - especially in today's world, where the elderly population is growing and nursing home facilities are chronically understaffed. Nursing home workers must always be mindful of the needs and safety of their patients because when an error or omission occurs during their care, it can have devastating consequences.

Although most can sympathize with the difficulty facing nursing home staff, this is not an excuse for substandard care or neglect. When a nursing home mistake or oversight involving a breathing tube leads to a resident's death, the nursing home may be liable for damages.

Deadly Breathing Tube Errors

Breathing tubes or endotracheal tubes (ET) are used to help a nursing home resident who cannot breathe on his or her own. The tube is placed in the resident's airway and hooked up to a ventilator. When used correctly, breathing tubes can be life-saving devices. However, a deadly mistake can occur when the tube is incorrectly inserted or secured. Nursing home staff must carefully monitor a resident's vital signs while they are intubated and recognize signs of distress. Breathing tubes can become clogged, cutting off the supply of oxygen to the resident's brain. This can cause brain damage in a matter of minutes and death soon after.

Many people are surprised to learn that one of the most pressing concerns in many nursing homes is the threat of resident-on-resident harm. Nursing home residents who are suffering from cognitive impairment or other illnesses may lash out at other residents. In some cases, altercations between nursing home residents leads to serious injuries.

Preventing Physical Confrontations Between Nursing Home Residents

Illnesses that affect a person’s perception of reality can make the person act in ways he or she never would otherwise. A sweet grandmother who never had a mean thing to say may develop Alzheimer’s disease and turn into a completely different person. She may swear, throw things across the room, or say cruel things to other residents and staff. This is one reason that it is so crucial that nursing home staff be careful about leaving nursing home residents alone together.

Nursing homes should be places of refuge and safety. When a nursing home fails to keep a resident safe, the nursing home may be liable for damages. One way that nursing home staff can keep residents safe is by properly supervising the residents – especially if any of the residents has a history of violent behavior. If staff notice that a resident is becoming agitated or upset, they should remove the resident from the situation and give the resident time to cool off. If a situation does escalate and a resident is injured, that resident should receive medical care immediately.