Nursing homes’ residents at higher risk of health problems from antibiotics’ misuse

When we hand over the care of our loved ones to a nursing home, we expect them to be well taken care and looked after. Unfortunately sometimes nursing home are understaffed and overworked and this can lead to health concerns for many of the nursing home patients. The misuse of antibiotics making elderly residents more likely to get serious medical conditions is one of these concerns. According to Centers for Disease Control, nursing home residents are prescribed antibiotics incorrectly up to seventy-five percent of the time. If you feel that someone you care about may be at risk due to the misuse of antibiotics, then you should speak to a nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer right away. We will listen to your case and help make sure you get the compensation you need for what your loved one has suffered.
The Centers for Disease Control recently advised all nursing homes to do more to help protect over four million nursing home residents from hard to treat super bugs that are increasing becoming resistant to many antibiotics. Elderly people in nursing homes are at a higher risk of these infections because their bodies do not fight off infections well. The Centers for Disease Control counts 18 top antibiotic-resistant infections that sicken more than two million people per year and kill twenty-three thousand. Those infections contribute to deaths in many more cases.
The worry is that every time someone takes antibiotics, sensitive bacteria get killed but resistant bacteria multiples and grows and this makes them easier to spread to other people. If antibiotics are used repeatedly it can make this resistant bacteria continue to grow. Also, taking antibiotics for things such as a cold or the flu when they are not intended for these illnesses leads to more resistance of antibiotics. Antibiotics can also eliminate good bacteria while also eliminating the bad. This can cause serious infections to spread and hospitalize thousands of people. It is important that measures be taken to prevent these infections from spreading in hospitals and nursing homes.
The Centers for Disease Control suggest that nursing homes keep better records of the antibiotics they prescribe each month and to also record how the resident did with medicine. It is important to make sure the antibiotics do not interfere with their other medications or cause bad side effects. They also suggest having a pharmacist or doctor be in charge of policies concerning antibiotics and provide training for staff in how to follow these policies. These suggestions may make nursing homes concerned because they worry about not treating a resident properly or because one of their loved ones feels that a resident may need antibiotics. It is important to remember though that giving too many antibiotics can be just as harmful as not giving any.
If you have concerns that a loved one in a nursing home may be at higher risk of serious medical conditions due to antibiotic misuse, then you should first speak to the nursing home and see it can be worked out. If this does not work, you can contact the state health department about your concerns. You can also contact one of our caring and knowledgeable nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at the Higgins Firm. We understand how difficult this may be and we will answer any questions you may have, review your claim and help you get the compensation you may be entitled to by law for what you and your family have been through.
Please contact us today online or by calling 800.705.2121 to discuss your legal options.