Nursing Home Infections
- Nursing home residents frequently develop respiratory, urinary tract, gastrointestinal, skin, eye, oral, and bloodstream infections.
- Older adults face a higher risk due to weakened immune systems and underlying medical conditions.
- Shared living spaces and frequent close contact between staff and residents can increase the risk of infection spread.
- Nursing homes may face liability when failures in care contribute to preventable infections.
- An experienced nursing home infection lawyer from Lanzone Morgan, LLP can help investigate what happened and determine whether legal action is appropriate.
Table of Contents:
- Common Types of Nursing Home Infections
- Why Nursing Home Residents Are Especially Vulnerable to Infections
- What State and Federal Laws Require for Infection Control in California Nursing Homes
- Steps Families Can Take if a Loved One Develops a Preventable Infection
- Speak With a California Nursing Home Infection Attorney Today
Common Types of Nursing Home Infections
Nursing home residents face a higher risk of infection due to age, chronic conditions, and close living environments. Many infections develop or worsen due to preventable factors, such as poor hygiene or lack of supervision. Residents’ families must watch for symptoms and seek immediate care for their loved ones if they suspect an infection.
Common types of infections for nursing home residents and the symptoms to watch for include the following:
Respiratory
Respiratory infections affect the lungs and airways. Examples include pneumonia and influenza. Symptoms often include coughing, fever, shortness of breath, and fatigue. These infections may develop when staff fail to monitor residents with swallowing issues, do not assist with mobility, or neglect vaccination protocols.
Urinary
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common, especially among residents who use catheters. Symptoms may include confusion, pain during urination, fever, and frequent urges to urinate. Poor catheter care, dehydration, and delayed hygiene assistance often contribute to these infections.
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal infections impact the stomach and intestines. Norovirus and foodborne illnesses are frequent concerns. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, and abdominal pain. These infections can result from improper food handling or poor hand hygiene.
Eye
Eye infections, such as conjunctivitis, can cause redness, discharge, swelling, and irritation. These infections may spread when staff fail to follow proper hygiene practices or to clean shared equipment.
Oral
Oral infections include conditions like thrush, gum disease, and tooth decay. Signs include mouth pain, dry mouth, bleeding and swollen gums, white patches, and difficulty eating. These often develop when residents do not receive proper oral care or assistance with brushing and dentures.
Skin and Soft Tissue
These infections include bedsores, also known as pressure sores, and cellulitis. Common symptoms include redness, swelling, warmth, or open wounds. They often result from inadequate repositioning, improper wound care, or unclean living conditions.
Bloodstream
Bloodstream infections, such as sepsis, are serious and can become life-threatening. Symptoms include fever, confusion, rapid heart rate, and low blood pressure. These infections may stem from untreated wounds or infections, misuse of catheters, or delayed medical intervention.
Why Nursing Home Residents Are Especially Vulnerable to Infections
Nursing home residents have a higher risk of infection due to a combination of age, health, and environment. The immune system becomes less effective over time, and chronic conditions can make recovery harder. Shared living spaces increase daily exposure to germs through close contact and common surfaces.
Dependence on staff adds to this risk. Residents often need hands-on help with bathing, dressing, eating, and medical care. When staff move quickly between residents or fail to follow proper hygiene practices, infections can spread more easily. Missed warning signs or delayed care can allow minor issues to become serious.
What State and Federal Laws Require for Infection Control in California Nursing Homes
Nursing homes in California must follow both state and federal infection control laws and regulations designed to protect vulnerable residents. These rules focus on prevention, early detection, and quick response to outbreaks. When facilities fail to meet these requirements and residents suffer harm, families may have grounds to take legal action.
Important laws and regulations include the following:
- California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act: Allows families to pursue claims when neglect, such as poor infection control, leads to injury
- Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 22, § 72321: Requires proper care, monitoring, and isolation of residents with infectious diseases
- Health and Safety Code § 1255.9: Requires nursing facilities to employ a dedicated infection preventionist responsible for overseeing and managing infection control programs
- 42 CFR 483.80: Requires a comprehensive infection prevention program, including surveillance, reporting, hygiene, and isolation protocols
- 42 CFR § 483.90: Requires facilities to maintain a safe, clean, and sanitary environment
“If a person has dysphagia, for instance, they'll have difficulty swallowing, and they'll need a trained caregiver to actually assist them in eating. There are certain methods that they're supposed to use. If they don't have a caregiver who's providing them with that assistance, they can essentially get aspiration pneumonia. That's where they inhale some of the food into their lungs, which will lead to infections and can potentially lead to death. So, not having those staff members, not having those people there who actually provide those activities of daily living assistance, can lead to serious injuries or death.”
Steps Families Can Take if a Loved One Develops a Preventable Infection
A preventable infection can raise serious concerns about the care a loved one is receiving. Taking the right steps early can make a difference in both their recovery and your ability to address potential neglect. Key steps include:
- Seek medical evaluation: Request prompt medical care and a clear explanation of the diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Consult a lawyer: Speak with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney to understand your options if you suspect abuse or neglect.
- Document everything: Take notes, photos, and record symptoms, care concerns, and staff interactions.
- Report concerns: Notify facility management and consider filing a complaint with state regulators.
Our team is committed to supporting elder abuse victims and their families in taking action against negligent nursing homes. As a leading elder abuse law firm in the United States, we understand nursing home litigation and are prepared to pursue the compensation and justice our clients deserve.
Speak With a California Nursing Home Infection Attorney Today
Infections in nursing homes can sometimes signal deeper issues with staffing, supervision, or basic care practices. If you suspect that inadequate care contributed to your loved one’s condition, it may be time to seek legal guidance.
At Lanzone Morgan, LLP, we focus exclusively on nursing home abuse cases, allowing us to offer the experience and support families need during difficult times. Our attorneys bring over 75 years of combined experience and a strong record of holding nursing homes accountable, having recovered more than $250 million in settlements and verdicts.
If you suspect your loved one has developed a preventable infection, contact us online or call 888-887-9777 today for a free consultation.
- Fact-Checked
This content has been legally reviewed and approved by nursing home abuse attorney, Anthony Lanzone. Anthony holds notable memberships with professional organizations including the American Association for Justice and Consumer Attorneys of California.
VIEW SOURCES
Infection prevention requirement: Stakeholder engagement. (n.d.) California Department of Public Health. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/LCP/CDPH%20Document%20Library/CDPH_Infection%20Prevention%20Requirement_Stakeholder%20Engagement_F1.pdf
Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 9, Part 3, Chapter 11. (n.d.) California Legislative Information. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=WIC&division=9.&title=&part=3.&chapter=11.&article=
22 CCR § 72321 – Nursing service—patients with infectious diseases. Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. (n.d.) https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/22-CCR-72321
42 CFR § 483.80 – Infection control. (n.d.) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483/subpart-B/section-483.80
42 CFR § 483.90 – Physical environment. (n.d.) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483/subpart-B/section-483.90
Common infections in nursing homes: a review of current issues and challenges. (n.d.) National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3526889/
- Fact-Checked
This content has been legally reviewed and approved by nursing home abuse attorney, Anthony Lanzone. Anthony holds notable memberships with professional organizations including the American Association for Justice and Consumer Attorneys of California.
VIEW SOURCES
Infection prevention requirement: Stakeholder engagement. (n.d.) California Department of Public Health. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/LCP/CDPH%20Document%20Library/CDPH_Infection%20Prevention%20Requirement_Stakeholder%20Engagement_F1.pdf
Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 9, Part 3, Chapter 11. (n.d.) California Legislative Information. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=WIC&division=9.&title=&part=3.&chapter=11.&article=
22 CCR § 72321 – Nursing service—patients with infectious diseases. Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. (n.d.) https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/22-CCR-72321
42 CFR § 483.80 – Infection control. (n.d.) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483/subpart-B/section-483.80
42 CFR § 483.90 – Physical environment. (n.d.) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483/subpart-B/section-483.90
Common infections in nursing homes: a review of current issues and challenges. (n.d.) National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3526889/