Have You Noticed Poor Hygiene With Your Loved One At Their Lexington Nursing Home?
Serious issues can arise when nursing homes fail to maintain cleanliness among their residents and within their facilities. Germs and bacteria can spread quickly, and nursing home residents are especially vulnerable to infections and other negative effects of poor hygiene such as bedsores and weight loss. Along with disregarding nursing home residents’ needs for basic personal hygiene, nursing home staff may also fail to properly clean and sanitize toilets, showers, tubs, floors, rooms and common areas, creating breeding grounds for germs to spread.
A lack of hygiene is a type of nursing home abuse. At O’Brien Batten Kirtley & Coomer, PLLC, in Lexington, our attorneys help nursing home residents and their families combat abuse and neglect of all kinds. When you notice that your family member is not being appropriately cared for, contact us so we can investigate and seek compensation for you. Your consultation with us is free.
Types Of Poor Hygiene In Kentucky Nursing Homes
Lack of cleanliness and hygiene is one of the most common forms of nursing home neglect and abuse. Issues associated with poor hygiene are exacerbated by the fact that nursing home residents live in close quarters, and daily activities, such as eating meals and watching television, often take place in groups. Types of poor hygiene in nursing homes include:
- Dirty kitchen areas
- Unsanitary bathrooms
- Unsanitary bedrooms
- Failure to control bugs, rodents and other pests
- Dirty bed linens
- Failure to properly dispose of biological waste
- Failure to properly dispose of medical waste
- Failure to provide other necessary personal hygiene services such as teeth brushing and bathing
It is also important for nursing home staff to practice proper hygiene when working with residents. If they do not wash their hands and/or put on fresh gloves, they can spread illness and germs between residents.
What To Do If You Suspect Poor Hygiene Practices
If you notice signs and symptoms of lack of cleanliness and poor hygiene, you can:
- Report it to the Kentucky Division of Health Care at 1-502-564-7963 or mail a written complaint
- File a complaint with the nursing home
- Contact the Kentucky Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-800-372-2991
- Report it to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for nonemergency reports
When you contact any of these organizations, it helps to provide as much detailed information as possible. If you have any evidence of the abuse or neglect, submit that as well.
Common signs of lack of cleanliness and poor hygiene practices include:
- Bedsores/pressure ulcers
- Infections
- Rashes
- Repeated illnesses
- Weight loss
- The smell of urine or feces
- Soiled clothing
- Emotional issues or withdrawing from others
Remember that for someone with a healthy immune system, a rash or a cold may seem like a minor affliction, but to a nursing home resident, what starts as a minor infection can quickly escalate to a life-threatening illness.
Because hygiene problems in nursing homes often go beyond the treatment and cleanliness of the residents themselves, it is also important to check the shower and bathroom a resident uses for signs of uncleanliness. Food preparation areas must be clean as well, and the staff that works with food must meet safety and health standards. Neglecting to sanitize restrooms, kitchens and dining areas can make residents vulnerable to germs and bacteria, just as much as failing to change bed linens and soiled clothing.
Why Choose Our Nursing Home Negligence Firm?
At O’Brien Batten Kirtley & Coomer, PLLC, our four attorneys have over 100 years of combined legal experience. People rely on us for caring, knowledgeable representation when they have been injured or have lost someone to wrongful death. Our nursing home injury practice is a significant part of our caseload. You can be sure that we have the experience necessary to hold negligent nursing homes accountable for neglect and abuse.
As trial lawyers, we know how to investigate nursing home abuse and neglect, as well as how to build a compelling case for damages. In fact, one of our highest jury verdicts was for a nursing home negligence case. We have recovered damages totaling millions of dollars in nursing home cases. You can be sure that we will seek justice and compensation for your loved one.
Contact Our Lexington Attorneys If You Suspect Nursing Home Hygiene Issues
Unfortunately, cleanliness and hygiene issues are often just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the level of care a nursing home resident is receiving. If you suspect a lack of adequate hygiene in a Lexington area nursing home, please contact O’Brien Batten Kirtley & Coomer, PLLC, to schedule a free initial consultation. We can help you or your loved one obtain the assistance, care and compensation you need and deserve.