Constant pressure on the body will cut off circulation and ultimately lead to the death of cells. The result? A bedsore, also called a pressure ulcer. These sores form most often when disabled people are confined to beds or wheelchairs for extended periods. Medical professionals are trained to regularly reposition patients who cannot move themselves, but some facilities are neglectful.
Nursing home bed sores are inexcusable. If found, doctors should immediately act to treat the sores and prevent them from worsening. Serious complications can result otherwise.
Contact Tittle & Perlmuter today to speak with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer. Anyone confined to a nursing home or long-term care facility might have a legal right to compensation for nursing home neglect bedsores.
Bed Sore Stages
Doctors classify bedsores by stage, which measures the debt of the ulcer. The deeper the ulcer, the more serious:
- Stage 1: The skin is red or pink, but there is no open wound.
- Stage 2: A shallow wound opens, and a patient may also have blisters or abrasions.
- Stage 3: The wound is noticeable and extends to the fatty layer beneath the skin.
- Stage 4: The most serious bedsore, a Stage 4 pressure ulcer extends through the fatty layer to the bones and muscles underneath.
Doctors can treat bedsores, but they are easier to cure when caught earlier. Nursing home staff should regularly inspect patients to find Stage 1 sores. As we have found, many homes are too neglectful.
Are Nursing Home Bed Sores Serious?
Yes. These are serious wounds on the body. A new, shallow bedsore can be easily treated. But the longer a bedsore remains untreated, the more complications can arise:
- Cellulitis: the skin and connecting tissues can become infected.
- Bone infection: Deep pressure sores can eventually lead to infected joints and bones.
- Sepsis: this is the body’s dramatic response to infection and can prove fatal if not treated.
Doctors will need to debride a bedsore, which involves removing dead tissue, before covering the wound. Larger wounds might need skin grafts. A doctor will also likely prescribe an antibiotic to keep infection at bay.
What Causes Bedsores in Nursing Homes?
Continued, sustained pressure on certain points of the body like the hips, spine, back of the head, and elbows. Many people who develop nursing home bed sores are immobile because they are in a coma or otherwise in considerable pain. It’s up to staff to reposition the person so they don’t develop a pressure ulcer.
Moisture can also make it easier for a bedsore to form. A person who wets themselves is at increased risk of developing a pressure ulcer if they aren’t dried.
Unfortunately, medical facilities are often neglectful due to:
- Understaffing—the nursing home might cut corners and not hire enough staff, so no one catches a pressure ulcer early. It only becomes obvious when it is smelly and extremely painful.
- Poor training—orderlies and nurse’s aides might not be trained to notice the signs of a developing pressure ulcer, so Stage 1 bedsores develop to Stage 4.
- Lack of supervision—understaffed homes often fail to supervise staff properly. When supervision is lax, then many patients can develop these sores.
- Drug use –staff could be using drugs, which causes them to fail at their duties. Drug addiction is a serious problem in the medical profession.
- Burnout—working in a nursing home is tough, and some workers suffer from burnout. Consequently, they can’t catch nursing home bed sores.
Once a staff member discovers a bedsore, they should immediately notify their supervisor. Communication problems and poorly kept records sometimes lead to patients falling through the cracks.
Preventing Bedsores
Nursing homes should develop best practices to prevent pressure sores from developing in the first place:
- Regular repositioning. The nursing home should have a strict schedule to reposition patients every two hours. This way, no area of the body is under pressure for too long.
- Extra cushioning. Extra cushioning under the hips, for example, can relieve pressure.
- Regular inspections. Staff should search for developing bedsores every day. A Stage 1 sore can be more easily treated than a Stage 3 or 4.
- Wiping away excess moisture. If a patient urinates in bed, then staff should dry the patient since moisture can contribute to bedsores.
Because of nursing home neglect bedsores develop frequently. The federal government has tried to increase the visibility of the problem. Still, too many nursing homes are neglectful, and vulnerable people suffer painful injuries.
Can You Receive Compensation for a Bedsore?
Anyone suffering from a bedsore might qualify for financial compensation. We need to prove the nursing home or long-term care facility was negligent.
A person might receive compensation for:
- Medical treatment. Sores can require antibiotics, debridement, skin grafts, and other treatments. Some patients are sent to the hospital when they develop serious infections. We can seek compensation to pay for the cost of this treatment.
- Pain and suffering. Bedsores are painful. Many seniors are in intense anguish when a major sore develops. We can seek damages for a loved one’s pain and suffering.
- Mental distress. The mental component of bedsores should not be overlooked. A patient who feels intense bodily pain can also suffer emotionally and might become depressed.
Let our firm review what kind of compensation to request in a lawsuit. Nursing homes have powerful law firms at their disposal, and they hate negative publicity. The federal government might get involved if the nursing home has a history of bedsores, so these facilities tend to mount strong defenses.
Schedule a Consultation with a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
Please reach out to Tittle & Perlmuter if a loved one is in a nursing home and suffering. Few residents can gain access to a phone to call us themselves, and some of them are in a condition where they can’t talk. Instead, it’s up to caring and concerned friends and family to protect a vulnerable adult’s legal rights. Contact us today to learn more. We know what causes bedsores in nursing homes and can act to protect your loved one.
