Infections are one of the most serious—and most preventable—medical emergencies in nursing homes. Every year, thousands of elderly residents across Ohio and the United States suffer severe infections that lead to hospitalization, long-term complications, or death.

What makes these tragedies even more devastating is that many of them could have been avoided with proper care, hygiene, and monitoring. In nursing homes, infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs), pneumonia, and sepsis often arise from neglect, poor sanitation, or understaffing—not bad luck.

Families have a right to expect that their loved ones will receive basic medical attention and infection control. When that doesn’t happen, it may constitute legal negligence.

Why Infections Are So Dangerous for Elderly Residents

The elderly are especially vulnerable to infection for several reasons:

• Weakened immune systems.
• Chronic health conditions such as diabetes, COPD, or heart disease.
• Limited mobility that increases the risk of pressure sores or pneumonia.
• Use of catheters, feeding tubes, or IV lines, which can introduce bacteria.

Even a minor infection that might be treatable in a younger adult can become life-threatening for an elderly nursing home resident. When infections are not recognized or treated promptly, they can quickly escalate to sepsis, a deadly condition in which the body’s response to infection causes organ failure.

Common Nursing Home Infections

Nursing homes are required by law to maintain safe, sanitary conditions. Unfortunately, poor staffing and oversight often allow infections to spread. Common infections in nursing homes include:

1. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs are one of the most frequent infections in elderly residents, particularly those with catheters. Neglecting to clean or replace catheters properly can lead to severe, recurring infections.

2. Pneumonia

When residents are bedridden, fail to sit upright during meals, or are not assisted with breathing exercises, fluid builds up in the lungs—leading to pneumonia.

3. Skin and Wound Infections

Bedsores, cuts, and scrapes can easily become infected when left untreated. In many cases, these infections progress to sepsis.

4. Gastrointestinal Infections

Bacteria like Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) spread rapidly in unsanitary environments, causing dehydration, diarrhea, and organ failure.

5. Bloodstream Infections (Sepsis)

When bacteria enter the bloodstream through wounds, catheters, or IV lines, the result can be sepsis—a condition that requires immediate emergency care.

Each of these infections can be traced back to one core issue: a nursing home’s failure to maintain adequate care and cleanliness standards.

The Connection Between Neglect and Infection

Most infections in nursing homes are not unavoidable—they are the result of neglectful conditions such as:

• Understaffing, leading to missed hygiene routines and delayed care.
• Poor wound care, allowing pressure ulcers or cuts to become infected.
• Inadequate cleaning and disinfection of equipment or rooms.
• Failure to monitor symptoms, such as fever or changes in behavior.
• Ignoring residents’ complaints of pain, burning, or discomfort.

When these oversights occur, they demonstrate a clear breach of the nursing home’s duty of care—a violation that can make the facility legally responsible for any resulting harm or death.

Understanding Sepsis: The Deadliest Consequence of Neglect

Sepsis is one of the most dangerous outcomes of untreated infection. It occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to infection, causing inflammation that can lead to organ failure and death.

Early Symptoms of Sepsis Include:

• Fever or low body temperature.
• Rapid heartbeat or breathing.
• Confusion, lethargy, or agitation.
• Low urine output.
• Cold or discolored skin.

If left untreated, sepsis can progress to septic shock, with a mortality rate exceeding 40%. For elderly nursing home residents, early detection and treatment can mean the difference between recovery and tragedy.

Every nursing home is legally obligated to monitor residents for infection signs and seek medical care immediately when symptoms appear. Failure to do so is a serious form of negligence.

Ohio’s Legal Standards for Infection Control

Under Ohio Administrative Code 3701-17-12 and federal CMS regulations (42 CFR § 483.80), nursing homes must:

• Maintain an infection prevention and control program.
• Employ a trained infection preventionist.
• Report outbreaks or unusual infections to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
• Follow strict hygiene, cleaning, and sanitation protocols.
• Ensure staff wash hands before and after contact with residents.

When a facility fails to meet these requirements, it can face citations, fines, and civil liability for any resulting injuries or deaths.

Warning Signs Families Should Watch For

Families visiting loved ones should stay alert for changes that could indicate infection or neglect. Warning signs include:

• Sudden fever, chills, or shivering.
• Lethargy, confusion, or unresponsiveness.
• Redness, swelling, or discharge around wounds.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Strong or unusual odors in the resident’s room.
• Staff failing to use gloves, masks, or hand sanitizer.

If your loved one’s condition changes abruptly, insist on medical evaluation immediately. Delays in diagnosis are one of the leading causes of wrongful death from sepsis in nursing homes.

Steps to Take if You Suspect Infection or Neglect

1. Seek Immediate Medical Care
   Request hospital evaluation or call emergency services if infection or sepsis is suspected.
2. Document the Evidence
   Take photos of wounds, note dates and symptoms, and record all communications with the facility.
3. Request Medical and Facility Records
   Obtain wound care charts, medication logs, and staff notes. Gaps or inconsistencies may point to neglect.
4. Report to the Ohio Department of Health
   File a complaint by calling 1-800-342-0553 or visiting odh.ohio.gov.
5. Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
   The Ohio Ombudsman Program (1-800-282-1206) can investigate complaints and advocate for resident safety.
6. Consult an Experienced Nursing Home Negligence Attorney
   An attorney can investigate, preserve evidence, and pursue compensation for harm caused by infection-related neglect.

Legal Remedies for Infection and Sepsis Cases

When neglect leads to infection or sepsis, families can pursue civil claims for:

• Medical expenses and hospitalization costs.
• Pain and suffering of the resident.
• Emotional distress suffered by the family.
• Disability or permanent injury.
• Wrongful death damages, in fatal cases.
• Punitive damages, when the facility acted recklessly or knowingly violated safety rules.

Holding facilities accountable not only brings justice to victims but also promotes safer practices for all residents.

How Michael Hill Helps Families

Attorney Michael Hill, based in Cleveland, Ohio, has extensive experience representing families whose loved ones suffered from infections and sepsis due to nursing home neglect.

Michael and his team:

• Investigate facility hygiene practices and staffing levels.
• Work with medical experts to determine how the infection occurred.
• Review facility inspection and violation histories.
• File complaints and civil claims against negligent nursing homes.
• Seek compensation for victims and demand reform to prevent future harm.

Michael’s work is driven by compassion and accountability—ensuring that every case he takes serves not just one family, but the broader mission of improving elder care in Ohio and beyond.

Conclusion

Infections and sepsis in nursing homes are rarely unavoidable—they are symptoms of neglect, poor hygiene, and systemic failure. Every resident deserves vigilant care, timely medical attention, and a clean, safe environment.

If your loved one developed a serious infection or sepsis while living in a nursing home, don’t accept excuses. Investigate, report, and demand answers.

Attorney Michael Hill is dedicated to helping families uncover the truth, hold negligent facilities accountable, and fight for the justice and dignity their loved ones deserve. Through legal action, he helps make Ohio nursing homes safer for all seniors—one case at a time.