Bedsores in Hospitals, Nursing Homes Can Often Be Avoided
Nursing home bedsores and hospital bedsores, also known as pressure sores or decubitis ulcers, are extremely painful and can have a huge impact on an individual’s quality of life. However, it is widely agreed that severe bedsore injuries are almost completely avoidable with proper training and equipment.
Bedsores typically develop on areas of the body that have prominent bone beneath layers of skin, like the heels, elbows, tailbone and shoulder blades. they are caused by a lack of blood flowing to an area of skin after prolonged pressure.
Patients with little or no mobility are at the greatest risk. In severe cases, the sores can be life-threatening if they penetrate skin and muscle, due to the risk of infection.
When these sores occur in a nursing home or hospital, they can usually be linked to staff that has not been properly trained or failed to provide the necessary attention to patients under their care.
Medicare considers bedsores to be a “never” event, since clear protocals have existed for years to avoid bedsores from developing into a serious health risk.
Besides regularly repositioning and moving incapacitated patients to prevent pressure ulcers, there are a number of widely accepted techniques and medical devices available to largely eliminate the risk of these sores posing a serious problem for residents or patients, such as:
- Heel or elbow protectors
- Proper skin inspection practices
- Regular repositioning
- Attentive skin care
Early detection and treatment for pressure sores are a key to reducing the severity of the injury. However, if a bedsore does develop, proper treatment is crucial and can include rinsing with saline or another cleaning agent, removal of dead tissue around the sore, treatment in a hyperbaric chamber and, in more severe cases, surgical skin grafts.
The bedsore lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential hospital malpractice lawsuits and nursing home negligence lawsuits for families throughout the United States. If a family member or loved one suffered a bedsore in a hospital or nursing home, request a free consultation and claim evaluation to learn what rights may be available.
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