If your loved one has suffered from a preventable C. diff infection at a nursing home, you may need a nursing home neglect lawyer to file a C. Diff lawsuit. Nursing home residents at risk for C. diff infections and deserve proper infection control precautions to prevent these types of infections. Facilities that fail to implement an infection control program may be negligent for preventable infections. In these cases, a nursing home infection lawyer may be able to file a nursing home C. Diff lawsuit.
What is C. Diff?
C. Diff is a bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea and colitis. The statistics surrounding C. diff infections are alarming. One in every 11 individuals over the age of 65 who contract a healthcare associated C. diff infection die within one month. If your loved one suffered from C diff complications while in a nursing home, a nursing home infection lawyer may be able to file a C. diff lawsuit. Certain people, including nursing home residents, are at a higher risk of contracting C. diff. Risk factors include:
- Recent hospital or nursing home stay
- A weakened immune system
- Individuals over age 65
- History of previous C. diff infection
C. diff is a highly contagious infection. The germ is spread through contact with fecal matter. The germ that causes C diff can survive for up to 5 months on surfaces such as commodes, bathtubs, bedside tables. C. diff can also be transferred to residents by health care personnel who touch a contaminated surface and fail to perform hand hygiene prior to resident care. Therefore, nursing homes that have poor infection control practices can put their residents at great risk of a C diff exposure.
C. diff and Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing homes may be liable for your loved one’s C diff infection if the failed to take reasonable measures to prevent or treat it. A C diff lawsuit may be considered if poor infection control practices resulted in the C diff infection, or if a physician failed to diagnose and treat the condition. A nursing home infection lawyer at the Wieand Law Firm can help hold negligent nursing homes accountable for injuries from preventable infections.
C. diff and Nursing Home Infection Control
Federal regulations require nursing homes to implement an infection prevention and control program. Section §483.80(a)(1) of the State Operations Manual requires that a facility must establish an infection control prevention and control program that includes “a system for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating and controlling infections and communicable diseases for all residents.” This standard includes guidance on contact precautions, infection control policies, and handling laundry. Nursing homes that fail to implement these standards may be negligent if a resident contracts C diff due to improper infection control.
A nursing home infection lawyer at our firm is familiar with these regulations and how to investigate if they have been violated. When filing a C diff lawsuit, a lawyer may request and review documentation from the nursing home including infection control policies, cleaning logs, training records, staffing records, and your loved one’s medical chart to see if the nursing home is responsible for the infection.
C. Diff and Delayed Diagnosis and Treatment
C diff symptoms that are not diagnosed and treated while at a nursing home may the cause of a C diff lawsuit. C diff can cause dehydration and malnutrition. Physicians and nursing home staff who fail to take action to treat this dangerous infection may be considered negligent. A nursing home infection lawyer can help review the situation surrounding your loved one’s C diff infection and determine if a C diff lawsuit can be filed.
Contact a Nursing Home Infection Lawyer at the Wieand Law Firm
A nursing home infection lawyer can be a valuable advocate for families of nursing home negligence. We will meet with you to discuss the situation regarding your infection and help you understand your legal options. Experience litigators, our lawyers are tough with nursing homes and their insurance companies but take a communicative and compassionate approach with our clients.
Call the Wieand Law Firm at 215-666-7777 today or send us a message through our online form.
