The family of a deceased woman has filed a lawsuit against a large health care company that was responsible for maintaining her health. The lawsuit names Addus Healthcare as a defendant in two count complaint alleging that the companies negligence during a short-term stay, resulted in numerous medical complications that contributed to the patients death. Amongst the complications alleged include:

Failing to treat the patients decubitus ulcers
A urinary tract infection
Sepsis
Medical complications that went unannounced to physicians

Read more about this recently filed lawsuit against Addus Healthcare pending in St. Clair County Circuit Court here.

The threat of sepsis

Sepsis remains a serious threat to patients in nursing homes, hospitals and other types of long term care facilities. Sepsis is a systemic infection caused by a bacteria that can enter the body through wounds (bed sores), catheters, intravenous lines, surgical wounds, surgical drains. Sepsis must be identified and treated quickly in order to provide the patient with the best chance of recovery. Symptoms of sepsis may include:

Fever
Chills
Confusion
Hyperventilation
Low urine output
Discolored skin

Particularly when medical care is delayed for elderly patients, the sepsis can progress to a more advanced complication known as ‘septic shock’. Patients with septic shock are indeed very ill and face serious drop in blood pressure, organ failure and even death.

Addus Healthcare

Addus Healthcare is large, publicly traded company that provides a broad spectrum of healthcare services to patients acorss the country. In particular, the company boasts a significant number of home care contracts for home-bound patients. In addition, Addus Healthcare provides:

Skilled nursing care
Veteran services
Private duty
Adult day services
Home & community services

Untreated Urinary Tract Infections In Nursing Home Patients May Result In Urosepsis

Is sepsis related to bed sores?

Suit blames Addus Healthcare for woman’s death from sepsis 9/29/2011 By Kelly Holleran