Cellulitis is a term used to indicate a bacterial infection of the skin. It is a major issue with nursing home residents who suffer from bed sores.
The signs and symptoms of a cellulitis infection may include:
- Redness of the skin
- Warmth
- Fever
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Where there are signs of cellulitis where a nursing home resident is suffering from a serious bed sore such as a Stage 3, Stage 4, or unstageable pressure ulcer, there may be an odor as well.
Members of the nursing staff are not required to be able to diagnose the infection or know what medications should be used to treat it, but they are required to know the signs and symptoms of a cellulitis infection and notify the resident’s doctor of the presence of signs of infection.
Once the doctor is notified that there are signs of an infection present, he or she will likely order antibiotics, or if the resident appears to be critically ill, may have the resident sent to the hospital.
Treatment of an infection with antibiotics is of course perfectly acceptable, but they do carry risks. In particular, antibiotic usage may lead to the onset of an infection known as c-diff which is characterized by frequent, loose, watery stools, which can have the effect of soiling dressings and making wound healing more complicated.
Left unchecked, a cellulitis infection can go to produce sepsis in the resident and can also cause osteomyelitis in residents suffering from Stage 4 bed sores.
Understanding how an infection like cellulitis can impact the overall health of a nursing home resident is one of the skills we bring to the table as experienced Chicago nursing home lawyers. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation assessment of what your rights might after you have had a parent or other loved one injured or killed in a nursing home.