Treatment Options for Bedsores by Stage
February 12, 2014
Bedsores are typically categorized into one of four stages, with Stage I being the least serious and Stage IV being the most serious. Each stage requires specific treatment techniques. Once the correct stage is identified, the proper treatment can be administered.
Bedsores are a clear sign of abuse and neglect in a nursing home or long-term care facility. If a negligent nursing home is responsible for your loved one’s injuries, they should be made to pay for all treatments and other related losses. Our Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can fight for the money you need to care for your loved one.
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CALL US NOW What Is a Bedsore?
Also called a pressure sore or pressure ulcer, a bedsore is an open wound that can develop if any part of the body is kept under constant pressure. For example, if nursing home staff fails to reposition your loved one regularly and leaves them lying on their back for hours at a time, sores may develop on the heels, buttocks, or elbows.
The risk of bedsores may increase if the skin is kept moist (e.g., if the resident is incontinent) or if there are complicating factors, such as diabetes, dementia, or malnutrition and dehydration.
Treatment for Stage I Bedsores
Stage I bedsores are often easily treated by alleviating the pressure on the affected site. However, if the affected area is irritated or has a slight lesion, it is wise to protect the area with a semipermeable bandage and implement prevention techniques.
A semipermeable bandage allows for water vapor and oxygen, elements that are helpful during the healing process, to pass through the material of the bandage. It does not permit water and bacteria to enter through the bandage.
Treatment for Stage II Bedsores
Stage II bedsores should receive similar treatment as stage I bedsores, except stage II wounds should also be inspected regularly for any indication that an infection might be developing in the wound site. Adequate cleaning and regular debridement usually keep bacterial colonization under control at this stage.
Treatment for Stage III Bedsores
Stage III treatment usually requires clearing the wound of any dead tissue before bandaging can occur. This can involve debridement of the dead tissue from the wound. Large wounds with considerable amounts of dead tissue may require surgical debridement, while smaller wounds can be cleared using non-surgical techniques, such as hydrotherapy or enzyme debridement.
Hydrotherapy utilizes special water baths to flush out dead tissue from the wound site, and enzymatic debridement uses special enzymes to break down the dead tissue for easy removal by wet-to-dry wound dressings. Wet-to-dry dressings are bandages that are applied in a moist state to the wound site and then are permitted to dry out over a period of time, usually between 8-12 hours. The dry dressing is carefully removed from the wound, taking with it any dead tissue that has stuck to the wet-to-dry dressing.
Stage III bedsores should be frequently inspected for signs of infection.
Treatment for Stage IV Bedsores
Stage IV bedsores are treated in a similar manner as stage III wounds and usually require surgical debridement, as they are often very large and/or very deep.
Some stage III bedsores, and nearly all stage IV bedsores, are sufficiently deep that the wound site must be filled with a packing material to help facilitate proper healing. Packing material should fill the space in the wound bed and needs to be changed every day.
Some stage IV bedsores are eligible for grafting procedures. A grafting procedure uses either artificial skin or skin from a different part of the body to cover clean bedsores and to facilitate healing. Stage IV bedsores should be monitored for signs of infection.
What to Look for During Treatment
Regardless of the stage of bedsore, all courses of treatment should involve regular evaluation of the wound’s healing progress. Visible progress of healing should be noticeable within 2-4 weeks of the start of treatment. If your loved one is able to communicate, ask them regularly about how they are feeling and if they have any concerns.
Any sign of deterioration of the wound’s condition should prompt an immediate reassessment of the treatment regimen. Your loved one’s doctor should monitor them for signs of infection, such as fever, swelling, or discoloration. If you notice these or other troubling symptoms, do not assume the doctor is aware of them: notify the provider immediately.
How to Tell if Your Loved One Is Not Getting Proper Treatment
The nursing home has already failed to prevent your loved one from developing a painful pressure ulcer: you cannot necessarily trust them to provide the correct treatment. The following may all be signs that your loved one is not getting the care they need:
- A lack of progress in their recovery
- A lack of attention from staff (e.g., they never appear to reposition your loved one)
- Reluctance from the doctor or the home to share documentation related to your loved one’s treatment
- Difficulty in finding or speaking to the people responsible for your loved one’s treatment
Improper treatment of bedsores can lead to life-threatening complications and death. If you suspect that the nursing home is not following proper treatment protocol, bring your loved one to a hospital right away.
Once you are sure your relative is out of danger, you can speak to our personal injury lawyer. Our legal team can act swiftly to collect evidence of the home’s neglect and pursue all of the money you need to pay for your loved one’s care and compensate your family for all of the pain and suffering this injury has caused.
Your Family Deserves Compensation for Preventable Bedsores
If someone you love has developed a pressure ulcer while in the care of an Illinois nursing home, you have the right to seek legal help and pursue justice. Our Illinois nursing home abuse legal team at The Rooth Law Firm is small but aggressive, giving every case the focused attention it deserves. Call now to get started with a free consultation.
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