Aspiration pneumonia is a severe lung infection that develops when foreign materials such as vomit, food, or liquids are inhaled into the lungs. Once in the lungs, these materials can interfere with normal respiration and create an environment conducive to bacterial growth, leading to inflammation and infection.
Nursing home residents, especially those who have swallowing difficulties or weakened immune systems, are at higher risk for developing aspiration pneumonia. This risk is heightened further due to factors like inadequate feeding assistance and close living quarters that may increase exposure to respiratory pathogens.
Prompt and vigilant care is essential to prevent the onset of this serious infection. As such, nursing facilities must implement strong preventive measures and respond quickly to any signs of lung infection to protect their residents from the potentially life-threatening complications of aspiration pneumonia.
Aspiration pneumonia is especially prevalent among elderly patients due to several contributing factors:
Sadly, many cases of aspiration pneumonia in nursing homes could have been prevented with proper care and supervision.
Loved ones and caregivers should know how to identify the symptoms of aspiration pneumonia in elderly residents, as older adults may not always effectively communicate their discomfort.
Here are key signs to watch for:
It’s best to consult a medical professional if a loved one is showing any of these concerning signs. Quick treatment for aspiration pneumonia can improve potential outcomes.
When a nursing home caregiver suspects pneumonia in a resident, they should take initial diagnostic steps. A medical provider may start by using a stethoscope to listen for unusual lung sounds. They might place a pulse oximetry device on the resident’s finger to check the oxygen levels in their blood.
If these initial tests are concerning, a doctor might order a chest X-ray or a CT scan to visually confirm that the resident has pneumonia. Then, blood or sputum samples can be analyzed to identify what is causing the infection. This knowledge will guide the providers in deciding on treatment options.
Caregivers and medical staff in assisted living centers should be extensively trained in reducing the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
Preventive measures include the following:
Many cases of aspiration pneumonia arise when staff do not adhere to these protocols. This may be because they lack training or because the facility is understaffed.
When a cherished family member succumbs to pneumonia in a nursing home, it is essential to ascertain whether the facility's negligence or substandard care played a role in the tragic outcome.
There may be indications that the nursing home failed to implement proper preventive measures or promptly identify and treat early signs of infection. In that case, you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you believe a loved one has died due to nursing home neglect, you can consult a legal professional with a track record of holding negligent long-term care facilities accountable. Your lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding your loved one's passing, gather evidence to support your claim, and tenaciously advocate for justice and fair compensation.
When tragedy strikes and you lose a beloved family member due to aspiration pneumonia in a nursing home setting, you need a legal team that combines compassion with an unwavering dedication to justice.
Our lead attorney, Susan Kang Gordon, focuses on holding negligent long-term care facilities accountable when their carelessness or inaction leads to preventable deaths.
Susan Kang Gordon is a formidable advocate with an impressive track record, including a case recognized among the Top 20 Verdicts in California in 2021. She has been honored as the Trial Lawyer of the Year by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (2022) and the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association (2021).
