While bed sores are often a symptom of neglect, they can also be a normal part of illness or post-illness care. In some cases, hospitals or medical staff may be at fault for bedsores if they fail to provide the proper care for patients. If you suspect that a hospital or medical professional has failed to properly care for your loved one, you should take action to protect your legal rights.
As an example, a nursing home or hospital should make sure residents are moved frequently so they do not develop pressure sores. This means repositioning every two hours and applying cream to small bed sores as soon as they develop. Also, nursing homes must provide adequate nutrition intervention for patients at risk of developing a bed sore.
If you suspect that a nursing home or healthcare provider has neglected a patient, you may want to contact the California Department of Public Health. These officials are trained to investigate complaints of abuse and neglect and can access medical records and interview nursing home staff. If you suspect that a nursing home or medical staff has been negligent, you may wish to file a lawsuit against the facility.
Patients in nursing homes and other care facilities are at higher risk of developing bedsores. Their lack of mobility limits their ability to move and maintain their proper position. In addition, patients in nursing homes may not receive adequate nourishment and repositioning, which can result in bedsores. These bedsores can also be accompanied by bone and tissue exposure.
In stage two, the bed sore has opened up, leaving exposed skin underneath it. This stage typically doesn’t go very deep and resembles a scrape or a blister. Fortunately, it is still treatable if caught early. However, if the pressure sore is left untreated, it may spread and even result in bone and muscle complications. This is why it is important to seek medical attention for this condition.
The symptoms of a bed sore are painful and often debilitating. Initially, it may seem like a minor irritation, but they can quickly grow to become a large, painful bed sore. Without medical attention, it can become infected and lead to serious consequences, including sepsis, surgery, and even death. A nurse in a nursing home who neglects their patients can be held liable for the pain that their patients experience.
Bed sores are caused by prolonged pressure on a certain body part. Typically, they occur on the lower back, hips, and tailbone. Other risk factors include dehydration, malnutrition, and prolonged exposure to moisture. When pressure is prolonged over a long period of time, the body’s natural protective mechanism becomes impaired and the skin begins to break down.
Often, bed sores are preventable and can be treated. Hospitals have a duty of care to their patients, and ignoring proper skincare during hospitalization can cause avoidable bed sores. The hospitals that neglect proper skincare can be held responsible for these bedsores and owe the patient money for medical treatment and pain.
There are several ways to prevent pressure ulcers from developing in a nursing home. Nursing homes should use special pillows and foam cushions to reduce the risk of developing them. A nursing home should also wash and dress the affected areas to help them heal. In addition, the nursing home should make sure the nursing home does proper cleaning and dressing of bed sores.
While most people who develop bed sores in nursing homes reside in long-term care facilities, they can also occur in hospitals. Negligent nursing staff and overworked nursing staff are often responsible for these incidents, and may be held liable for the injuries they cause to their patients.
When pressure ulcers are caused by long-term neglect, they can become serious and can affect the health of the person suffering from them. Unless treated immediately, these can lead to major complications. They can be difficult and dangerous, and are not always easy to treat. So, it is important to seek medical treatment for bed sores. If you suspect neglect on the part of a nursing home staff, you should speak with the facility’s management immediately.
Fortunately, the majority of cases of bed sores are preventable. Proper care and medical supervision by nurses and medical staff can prevent bed sores. Nurses should assess patients at high risk for developing bed sores and develop care plans accordingly. This can include frequent rotation, special mattresses with pressure-relieving air beds, and special diets with high nutrition levels.
