Encephalopathy From UTI

Living in a nursing home often becomes the only option for elderly individuals with medical needs. They may need access to ongoing care, and an assisted living facility is the best place for them to be. 

However, residents in nursing homes are vulnerable to numerous health conditions. Among these, urinary tract infections are common and can lead to severe complications if left untreated. 

Sometimes, these issues are caused by negligent staff who fail to uphold the proper standard of care for each patient, which could have legal implications for the facility and the victims. Let’s discuss the problem of encephalopathy caused by UTIs in nursing homes. 

What is Encephalopathy?

Encephalopathy is a broad term for conditions affecting brain function or structure. Different types of encephalopathy have distinct causes. For instance, hepatic encephalopathy is caused by neurotoxins in the blood that are supposed to be filtered out by the liver. Metabolic encephalopathy occurs with consistently high blood pressure, causing the brain to swell. 

An obstructive urinary tract infection (UTI) can eventually cause some forms of encephalopathy. Untreated UTIs can lead to an elevated blood ammonia level due to urease-producing bacteria like Proteus mirabilis. If left unchecked, this elevated ammonia will travel through the bloodstream and enter the brain through the blood-brain barrier, causing brain damage. 

Vulnerability of Nursing Home Residents

Nursing home residents are vulnerable to encephalopathy caused by a urinary tract infection. First, their physical health is already on the decline, so a weakened immune system makes them more likely to contract a UTI. 

Second, nursing staff are often focused on the demands of many patients, so they may not pay close attention to recognize the signs of a UTI. Likewise, catheter use, common in nursing homes, significantly raises infection risk. Dehydration, another frequent issue in nursing homes, concentrates urine and promotes bacterial growth.

The longer the resident has elevated ammonia levels, the more likely they will experience ammonia diffusion into the brain. Patients with UTIs must be treated as quickly as possible to lower the risk of encephalopathy. 

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Whether you are a resident in a nursing home or you have a loved one in an assisted living facility, knowing the symptoms of encephalopathy could save someone’s life. Medical staff must be notified to conduct an evaluation when you notice these signs in yourself or someone related to you. 

Symptoms of Encephalopathy

The most common symptoms of encephalopathy include confusion, altered mental status, seizures, memory loss, personality changes, muscle weakness, difficulty thinking, difficulty swallowing, and sleepiness. These symptoms could signal that the individual is suffering from brain disorders like nonconvulsive status epilepticus, dementia, or sepsis. 

Diagnosis

Many tests can be used to determine if a person has contracted metabolic or hepatic encephalopathy because of a UTI. Urine cultures can be conducted to determine if there are urease-producing bacteria present. 

A blood test may be used if the patient displays symptoms of common forms of brain disorders. An imaging scan is another evaluation tool that can determine if there is unusual brain activity.

A blood ammonia test can reveal if ammonia levels are elevated. Some doctors may perform a simple physical examination to search for signs of these conditions. If the patient presents an altered mental state, the doctor could order a neurological exam. 

Prevention and Early Detection of a Urinary Tract Infection

The best way to prevent encephalopathy from an obstructive urinary tract infection is to prevent the UTI in the first place. Residents have the right to be protected from harm, which includes prevention practices for common disorders in nursing homes. 

Proper Hygiene

Hygiene is essential to defend against UTIs. You should drink fluids as often as possible and always wipe front to back when you use the bathroom. Bathing regularly is important, though showers are better for protection against UTIs. Avoid holding in your urine, and make sure you urinate after intercourse to flush out any bacteria that may have entered the urethra.

Clean the genital area thoroughly when you shower or bathe to prevent bacteria buildup. Some irritants, such as harsh soaps, powders, and sprays, can increase the risk of contracting UTIs, so they should be avoided. 

Regular Screening

The older you get, the more vulnerable you are to UTIs and liver disease. If you live in a nursing home, your risk of contracting a UTI grows even more. To protect your health, prioritize regular screenings for UTIs. 

These may include ammonia level tests, urinalysis exams, and MRIs. Consult your doctor about scheduling these tests proactively rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. Early detection through routine screening can help prevent a UTI from progressing to more severe conditions like encephalopathy. 

Prompt Treatment

If regular screening demonstrates that you have contracted a UTI, prompt treatment is crucial. The sooner you receive treatment, the better your chances of avoiding complications from the UTI, such as liver disease, encephalopathy, sepsis, damage to brain cells, and dementia. 

If your loved one is in a nursing home and gets diagnosed with a UTI, you should follow up with the staff to ensure they are receiving the medications and care they need to prevent complications. If you suspect they are not receiving the care they need to address the issue, it may be wise to contact a lawyer specializing in nursing facility neglect.  

Legal Implications of Encephalopathy from Urinary Tract Infections

Nursing homes are no strangers to UTIs. These facilities are equipped to treat patients who contract these diseases to prevent further complications. However, the real issue arises when inattentive staff or negligence allows these infections to develop and progress without proper medical intervention. 

This oversight can lead to serious secondary problems, such as encephalopathy. Here are some legal implications that nursing home residents and families should understand. 

Negligence

In legal terms, negligence occurs when an individual or entity fails to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances. 

In a nursing home, negligence could manifest in numerous ways, such as failing to monitor a patient, administering the wrong medications, not following protocols for physical assistance, or not helping residents with daily living activities. If nursing staff fail to provide adequate care to prevent or treat UTIs, they could be liable for negligence in a civil claim. 

To win a civil lawsuit against a nursing home for negligence, a plaintiff must prove that the staff breached their duty of care, caused harm to the plaintiff because of their actions, and were responsible for the legal damages suffered by the plaintiff. 

This claim will require evidence such as medical records, witness statements, camera footage, or case reports. An experienced attorney can help you gather evidence to support a negligence claim, strengthening your chances of winning compensation. 

Resident rights

Negligence affects assisted living facility patients when it violates their rights. Residents have the right to receive appropriate care for their medical needs and to be protected from harm. If negligence causes a resident to contract a UTI and then a form of encephalopathy, they can seek justice against the at-fault party. 

State and federal laws protect nursing home residents’ rights. Learn these rights if you or a loved one is in a nursing home. This knowledge helps you identify violations and take action when needed. 

Compensation

Residents who have suffered from negligence in a nursing facility may have grounds for a civil lawsuit. If the patient is still living, they can file the claim themselves or through a legal representative. Should the patient have passed away, a surviving family member can pursue the lawsuit on their behalf. 

In cases involving encephalopathy from UTIs, potential legal damages include medical bills, lost income, emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life. In a wrongful death lawsuit where the patient dies due to negligence, surviving family members could also recover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. 

The more legal damages the plaintiff suffers, the more compensation they can recover in a settlement. Whether you experienced an altered mental status, organ failure, hyperammonemic encephalopathy, or seizures because of your UTI, you may have the option to hold the staff accountable for your suffering. 

Protect Your Rights – Reach Out to a Nursing Home Lawyer Now

It is up to you to stand up for your rights as a resident or the rights of your loved one in a nursing facility. If you suspect negligence resulted in a UTI and some form of encephalopathy, you will need legal guidance to succeed with your civil claim. 

The Nursing Home Law Center is a team of lawyers specializing in elder law and nursing facility abuse and neglect. Many of our clients have suffered greatly because of UTIs in nursing homes, but we have helped them recover financially by holding these facilities accountable. 

If you have concerns about the care you or a loved one is receiving in an assisted living facility, contact our team today at 800-926-7565 or complete the contact form.