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CHICAGO – According to a joint survey, deadly blood infections persist in Illinois's retirement homes.
The Chicago Tribune and Kaiser Health News found that about 6,000 residents of Illinois nursing homes who were hospitalized each year were suffering from sepsis, a blood infection that can quickly lead to death. if it is not treated properly.
About one in five people have not survived, according to an analysis done for KHN by Definitive Healthcare, a private health care data company.
Sepsis is developed in bedridden patients with pneumonia, urinary tract infections and other conditions, including pressure ulcers. Sepsis can be prevented by turning the immobile people every two hours and taking other precautions, patients' advocates said.
However, the country's retirement homes have failed to prevent pressure ulcers and other infections that can lead to sepsis, and advocates and regulators point to inadequate staffing levels.
Nursing homes in Illinois are among the lowest levels of nursing and auxiliary staffing in the country.
According to an analysis of government data, staff levels in approximately 78% of Chicago area establishments are below the national average.
Illinois nursing homes are also subject to national standards regarding the risk of pressure ulcers or inadequate treatment.
About 60% of nursing homes in Illinois have been cited by inspectors for this deficiency, according to the records. Only three other States were mentioned more frequently.
Matt Hartman, executive director of the Illinois Health Care Association, said the lack of staff is a problem that diminishes the quality of nursing care. The association represents more than 500 retirement homes.
According to Hartman, Illinois Medicaid's payment rates for nursing homes are lower than those in most states, averaging about $ 151 per day per patient.
Medicaid represents about 70% of the incomes of many retirement homes, he said.
Transferring residents with sepsis to hospitals can also be expensive.
According to an analysis of Medicare claims, Medicare pays more than $ 100 million a year to Illinois hospitals for the treatment of nursing home residents.
The analysis revealed that most residents of Illinois nursing homes treated for sepsis come from facilities in the Chicago area.
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