Lower Respiratory Infections
Summary:
Lower and Upper Respiratory Infections are common in nursing homes, but there is no reason that it should be acquired. Elderly people are more susceptible to catch an infection that could possibly turn into Bronchitis. This article outlines the statistical importance of Bronchitis and explains in a brief summary what it means to catch Bronchitis. Furthermore it offers preventative measures and symptoms for families to educate themselves (even if just briefly) about the dangers of nursing home-acquired acute bronchitis.
Lower Respiratory Infections -Bronchitis
In 2002, lower respiratory disease was the leading cause of death due to infectious diseases; this includes bronchitis. If neglected, lower Respiratory infections can progress into more serious infections like Bronchitis causing death. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention accounted for 740 Bronchitis related deaths. That is .02 per 100,000 deaths related to a lower respiratory infection disease. Lower respiratory diseases include infections such as Pneumonia and tracheobronchitis. Due to negligence and abuse from Nursing Homes or Assisted Living homes, a resident can suffer from acute nursing home acquired bronchitis. It is important to recognize symptoms of Bronchitis, as there is no need for your loved one to acquire it while in short or long term care.
What is Acute Nursing Home Bronchitis?
Acute Bronchitis is a sudden development of Bronchitis. It is inflammation of the mucous membranes, called the bronchi. These membranes help with the airway in the trachea, since the transportation of air in one pathway is important to sustaining life. A cough is a common symptom that suggests acute nursing home-acquired bronchitis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and decongestants can be used to treat bronchitis, however, if more neglecting continues, a resident may develop a viral disease like influenza or rhinovirus, BOTH infections are not treatable and can lead to hospitalization and even death.
Bronchitis Symptoms:
- Difficulty Breathing
- Severe Cough
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Wheezing
- Body aches
- Chest pain
- Loss of appetite
1.5 million visits to the Emergency Room are usually cases of bronchitis. Nursing homes sometimes do not have the proper machines to diagnose bronchitis. Therefore, patients in nursing homes must be transported to a Hospital or Clinic that has proper diagnostic tools in order to do the proper procedures. The average hospital stay for people with bronchitis is 7.8 days -- that is thousands of unnecessary dollars spent on hospital care from acquired bronchitis. It is an estimated 14.5 billion dollars of direct cost to treat respiratory infections like bronchitis. Maintaining a clean and healthy living environment in a nursing home can help prevent a severe acute bronchitis case. However, if the bronchitis does spread into some virus, unfortunately fatality could be the end result for your mother, father, grandparent, aunt or uncle. Nursing Home Acquired Bronchitis is unacceptable when due to negligence, but prevention is important.
Preventing Bronchitis in Nursing Homes:
- Rest
- Hydrate
- Wash your hands
- Treat your cough
- Treat cold symptoms immediately
- Drink Plenty of Vitamin C
- Do not Smoke
- Tell your doctor if you feel sick or if your loved one looks sick
Contact an Arizona Nursing Home Advocate Attorney
If a nursing home in the Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa or elsewhere in Maricopa County, has contributed to nursing home acquired bronchitis or any other respiratory infection in a loved one due to negligence of proper diagnoses, they should be held responsible. An Arizona Attorney can help collect compensation. For more information about legal responsibilities in nursing homes see www.nursinghomeadvocates.com.
