Prevent Life-Threatening Bedsores in Nursing Homes
April 30, 2014 |
As we age, we become more susceptible to certain conditions and types of injuries. Bedsores, however, are completely preventable. They are a sign of neglect, not of normal aging.
In this article, you will learn more about how life-threatening bedsores in nursing homes can be prevented. We will also explain how our Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can protect your rights if your loved one suffered such an injury.
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CALL US NOW What Are Bedsores?
Bedsores are some of the most painful wounds that a nursing home resident can develop. They are the result of too much pressure being exerted on an area of skin and are most commonly formed on areas of the body where weight is supported.
For older individuals living in nursing home communities, these sores most often develop on the heels, tailbone, and buttocks. This is because many elderly residents have difficulty with mobility and often spend a lot of time in their beds or wheelchairs.
What Makes Bedsores So Dangerous?
Residents who develop bedsores are typically already vulnerable: they are unable to move freely and, often, to take care of their most basic needs without help. As the Mayo Clinic explains, malnutrition, dehydration, and poor blood circulation can also increase the risk of developing a bedsore.
Due to this increased fragility, a bedsore can quickly lead to complications, including life-threatening conditions like infections and sepsis. This makes it imperative to provide immediate medical care to anyone with a bedsore—and, more importantly, to prevent such injuries from happening in the first place.
How to Prevent Bedsores in Nursing Home Residents
Preventing bedsores is easy. Here are the most basic steps that nursing homes must take to protect residents:
Frequent Repositioning
Simple repositioning of an at-risk individual multiple times a day will help greatly in reducing the risk of the resident developing bedsores. Nursing home staff should also take care to ensure the resident will not slump or slide, as these movements can lead to bedsores.
Using Specially Designed Equipment and Devices
Special mattresses and cushions can be provided to at-risk individuals. These items are now available in a wide variety of materials and patterns, including waffle or egg-carton-shaped foam layers, fiber mattresses, or gel cushions. Air- and water-filled mattresses are also available.
Initial and Ongoing Assessments
When a new resident moves into the nursing home, and periodically thereafter, nursing home staff should take the time to perform a thorough assessment of the resident’s body for pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores. Conducting such assessments can help to prevent bedsores before they form.
At the same time as the full-body visual inspection, the new resident should undergo a risk assessment, which helps staffers identify any risk factors the resident might have that makes it more likely they will develop bedsores. This assessment should also consider:
- The resident’s nutritional status, i.e., whether they are properly nourished
- Their mobility and activity levels
- Their sensory perception abilities
Nutrition, mobility, and sensory perception all play into the prevention of bedsores.
Based on the findings of the visual inspection and the risk factor assessment, a care plan should be developed that addresses the resident’s needs concerning bedsore prevention and/or treatment.
When Are Bedsores a Sign of Neglect?
Because bedsores are generally easy to prevent, any such injury should prompt you to take a closer look at the care your loved one is (or is not) receiving. If you notice any of the following, this is a good indication that your loved one’s injury was the result of nursing home neglect:
- Your loved one has suffered other preventable or unexplained injuries.
- Your loved one has not received appropriate medical care recently.
- The home does not respond promptly when you ask for information.
What Can You Do if Your Loved One Is Diagnosed With a Pressure Ulcer?
The first thing you should do is make sure your loved one sees a doctor, either at the home or elsewhere. As previously mentioned, bedsores can be very dangerous, so do not delay medical care if you have concerns.
Next, document the injury. Take pictures of the bedsore and of your loved one’s room in the nursing home, especially if you notice any signs of neglect, e.g., dirty dishes and sheets.
You should also ask the nursing home for more information about what happened and what treatment your loved one has already received. Incomplete or delayed responses to questions about your loved one’s condition and care may be a warning sign that they are not looking after the residents in the way that they should.
When Should You Speak to a Law Firm About Your Loved One’s Injury?
Once you are sure your loved one is on the mend and getting the care they need, it is a good time to think about your family’s legal rights, especially if:
- You noticed potential signs of abuse or neglect at the home
- The home is refusing to answer your questions
- You are unfamiliar with your rights and options in this situation
- Your loved one suffered or could have suffered severe harm
Our personal injury attorney can act quickly to assess what has happened, collect evidence in support of your case, and confront the nursing home on your behalf. Through such actions, we can recover the financial compensation you need to provide for all of your loved one’s needs.
Contacting a Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney
If your loved one has developed a serious injury due to a nursing home’s inability to prevent life-threatening bedsores, you could be entitled to a financial settlement. Our nursing home abuse and neglect attorney understands that your loved one has been hurt, and we want to help.
Contact The Rooth Law Firm today for a free case evaluation.
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