What if My Loved One Develops Bedsores in a Nursing Home?
The medical term for a bedsore is a decubitus ulcer. They are also referred to as pressure sores.
These injuries occur when the blood flow to a specific area of the body is cut off. Nursing home residents are especially vulnerable to bedsores.
The appearance of a bed sore could be considered a sign of negligence. It can also be a claim that is actionable. If you suspect that your loved one has developed bed sores while living as a nursing home resident, you should speak to a Jackson nursing home abuse lawyer at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC.
We have helped many families achieve compensation for the injuries to their loved ones.
More importantly, we’ve helped hold the nursing home and staff accountable in an effort to prevent this type of neglect from happening again. However, before you proceed with your claim, it’s essential to understand how this can occur and who might be responsible.
What Are the Common Causes of Bedsores in Nursing Homes?
Bedsores are not like a cut, which is an injury that happens instantly. It takes time for a bedsore to develop, which further emphasizes how these injuries occur due to neglect. The Mayo Clinic explains the three main forces that can lead to bedsores for nursing home residents:
Friction
A bedsore can be caused by friction when the resident’s skin is dragged against another surface.
This can happen if a resident is pulled across the bed during position changes, as opposed to being lifted and moved.
Pressure
A bedsore, also referred to as a pressure sore, occurs when the pressure of the skin presses against an object.
Shear
A shear injury is similar to a friction injury. The difference is with a shear; two surfaces move in different directions. For instance, when the skin moves but the bones and muscles underneath remain in the same place.
What Are the Symptoms of Bedsores?
When you visit your loved one, be sure to check in with them and ask about any pain they are experiencing. A bedsore may not always be visible, especially when it is covered by clothing. They can appear in bony areas of the body, such as the ankles, heels, tailbones, and hips.
The initial stage of a bedsore is characterized by a red or purple discoloration of the skin.
That newly affected area will be painful to the touch. Your loved one may also complain that the affected area feels hotter or colder than their normal skin. If left untreated, the bedsore can develop into an open wound similar to a blister but larger.
You might look for stains on their clothing as a bedsore can leak with pus or blood. At this point in the progression of the bedsore, it can turn black from necrosis, which is the “death” of healthy tissue. With an extreme progression of the wound, the underlying tissue and bone can be exposed.
At this point, the resident is at a high risk for infections that can lead to death.
What Are the Risk Factors for Nursing Home Residents?
A nursing home resident who has limited mobility is at the greatest risk of developing bedsores from neglect. A resident who is confined to bed or a wheelchair needs added attention from the nursing home staff to avoid bedsores from developing. There are additional risk factors to be aware of, including the following:
Age
As someone ages, they are more likely to have dry and fragile skin. That creates conditions for bedsores to develop.
Health Conditions
Certain health problems, such as diabetes and vascular disease, can increase the risk of a nursing home resident developing a bedsore, as these conditions can decrease blood flow in specific areas of the body. Residents who also suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia might not have the capacity to know it’s time to reposition themselves.
Poor Nutrition and Dehydration
When a nursing home resident loses weight due to malnutrition, the fat below the skin decreases, making them more susceptible to bed sores. When a resident is dehydrated and has poor nutrition, they might struggle more to recover from a bedsore.
When Nursing Home Neglect Causes Harm
The reason for transitioning a loved one into nursing home care is to provide them with around-the-clock care. Nursing home staff should be vigilant for the early signs of a bedsore and take prompt corrective measures to prevent it from worsening. Failure to do so would constitute negligence.
The attorneys at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC can provide you with the guidance and information you need to decide what is the best course of action for supporting your loved one.
If we agree to help, we can see compensation to cover medical expenses and pain and suffering. We can also ensure that the proper authorities are notified about the situation.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our offices to arrange a consultation.
