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Flu season can be a scary time for nursing home residents. The CDC estimates that 20,000 people die from flu-related complications every year in the United States alone. Many of these deaths occur in nursing homes, where residents are more susceptible to catching viruses. If your loved one has become ill or died from a preventable illness, contact our nursing home abuse lawyer Buffalo Grove at 312-622-2900
Flu seasons can be especially dangerous times for nursing home residents. Flu is more likely to be deadly in people over 65, and 90% of flu deaths are in people over 65. This is because the flu can affect people with chronic conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, more severely than those without these conditions. The flu can also lead to other complications that can be life threatening in older adults, like pneumonia or sepsis (a severe blood infection).
The elderly are at greater risk of complications from the flu
The CDC estimates that the flu kills up to a half million people each year, and it’s especially dangerous for older people. The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months old should get a flu shot.
In order to prevent a flu outbreak in a long term care facility, there are many recommended guidelines.
- Encourage them to wash their hands frequently.
- Avoid touching their face with unwashed hands.
- Encourage them to avoid close contact with other people who are sick or show signs of illness (fever, cough).
- Get them the necessary vaccination against the flu
- Influenza Testing
- Infection Prevention and Control Measures
- Antiviral Treatment
- Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis
The CDC also recommends that the vaccine program be implemented by October and rolls through to December (if new patients are admitted). Even if influenza activity has begun, it is beneficial through the majority of the season because the duration can vary.
If a flu prevention plan is ineffective because of understaffing or neglect, you may have a personal injury claim. Our nursing home abuse lawyer Buffalo Grove can evaluate your case and help you determine how you can receive justice for your loved one.
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Buffalo Grove | Carlson Bier Associates 
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Buffalo Grove | Carlson Bier Associates 
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Buffalo Grove | Carlson Bier Associates
The cost of an outbreak
A nursing home is responsible for the medical care and well-being of their residents. If one or more of them contracts the flu, they will likely need to provide medical treatment. This can include anything from antibiotics for an infection to hospitalization or other high-cost procedures. The average cost per patient varies depending on how severe illness is and how long they remain in your facility.
Neglect is another form of nursing home abuse that happens when staff members fail to provide basic care for their patients due to a lack of training or because they do not understand their responsibilities. If an influenza outbreak occurs in a nursing home because preventative measures have not been taken or there is understaffing, you may have a personal injury claim. An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer Buffalo Grove can help you pursue your claim. Contact us today for a consultation.
Contact our nursing home abuse lawyer Buffalo Grove for a consultation
Nursing homes are a breeding ground for germs because they house many people with compromised immune systems. When someone gets even a mild illness, it can spread quickly in a nursing home. Nursing homes are not equipped to handle outbreaks of illness like hospitals, so the staff and residents need to be extra vigilant about preventing the spread of germs.
It’s important to keep in mind that not every nursing home will have the same policies on hand. But, if your loved one is in a facility that has a policy that doesn’t seem right or safe, then you may want to speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer Buffalo Grove to evaluate your case.
