When your loved one is a resident in a nursing home, you have certain expectations about the care he or she receives. Not only should nursing home patients receive proper nutrition and enough liquids, but their bladder/bowel movements also should be monitored. If a nursing home patient has an impacted bowel, it could be the result of negligence. Seek legal assistance from Kentucky nursing home abuse lawyers if your loved one was seriously injured.
Prevention of an Impacted Bowel
One type of condition that a resident can develop is an impacted bowel, a result of feces becoming trapped in the lower part of the large intestine. If left untreated, it could lead to serious and potentially fatal consequences.
As the feces collects in the bowel, it becomes hardened. This can lead to irritation in the rectum. Fluid and mucus can leak, causing fecal incontinence. It is not only a painful condition, but also eventually could become fatal if the patient develops an infection. Sepsis is a deadly type of infection that the resident can acquire, which is triggered by an inflammation when chemicals are released into the blood to ward off body contamination.
When a nursing home patient has an impacted bowel, this is usually the result of negligence. It is a condition that can be prevented with proper care and attention. If nursing home staff notice the resident is not having regular bowel movements, they should immediately report it to a physician.
Failure to care for a patient properly or to recognize signs of an impacted bowel could lead to serious complications.
Has Your Loved One Been Injured In A Nursing Home?
If you believe your loved one is being subjected to nursing home abuse you need to speak with an experienced Kentucky nursing home neglect attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office directly at 888.450.4456 to schedule a free consultation.