Haym Salomon Home’s experienced staff members are well equipped to help with pneumonia treatment. Here we realize that good care is needed for preventing complications.
Types of pneumonia
The type of pneumonia will determine which treatment will be used. A medical professional will collect a blood or phlegm sample in order to prescribe the right pneumonia treatment.
If it is bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics will be prescribed. Fortunately there are a number of effective antibiotic therapies. Though, antibiotic resistance can make it more difficult to treat bacterial pneumonia. If the patient does not complete the entire course of antibiotics as it was prescribed by the doctor, antibiotic resistance is more likely to develop. Medication management is therefore key!
A virus can also cause pneumonia. Antiviral medication can be prescribed in some instances, but viral pneumonia can be treated successfully without medication. That being said, bacterial pneumonia is a potential complication.
Oxygen therapy
A patient with a serious pneumonia infection might require oxygen therapy. This type of treatment will assist in improving the blood-oxygen level.
Haym Salomon Home’s experienced staff can provide oxygen therapy, if needed. A Venturi mask or ventilator is usually used, but some patients may receive a portable tank with air that has a higher oxygen concentration.
Oxygen therapy is usually not a difficult treatment. Though, one of the trained nurses will monitor the oxygen saturation level of the patient with great care. This is to make sure that the oxygen saturation level is not too low. Too much oxygen is also not good and, therefore, our nursing staff will monitor that the patient does not receive too much to prevent toxicity.
IV Therapy in pneumonia treatment
Intravenous (IV) therapy can also be used for pneumonia treatment. It can either be used to deliver medication or fluid (and staying hydrated is one of the keys to effective pneumonia treatment). Whatever the use, Haym Salomon Home’s experienced nursing staff will make sure that the patient remains comfortable. The safety of our patients is also a top priority. This means that you can rest assured knowing that your loved ones will not experience discomfort.
Preventing complications
Speedy intervention can prevent many life-threatening complications. When the patient does not receive the right treatment, the membrane that covers the lungs can get inflamed and start to swell, allowing fluid to enter. When this has happened, it might be necessary to remove the fluid by using a needle.
Bacteremia is another serious complication. If pneumonia was caused by bacteria, there is a risk that bacteria could enter the bloodstream which can cause the patient’s blood pressure to decrease significantly, leading to possible organ failure.
Unfortunately the elderly are more likely to suffer from pneumonia and possible complications. As their immune systems are not that strong, infection can be worse for them.
Luckily, in most cases, with adequate rest and the right nutrition, pneumonia can be treated at the nursing home. Our staff at Haym Salomon Home for Nursing & Rehabilitation in Brooklyn closely monitors every patient, and, therefore, should a possible complication occur, we will be ready to adjust the pneumonia treatment.