If you or a loved one has been injured by a doctor or hospital, Call the Medical Malpractice Crisis Resource Line for Immediate Help >
Free Consultation. Call Now.
(516) 394-4200
(516) 394-4200 (516) 394-4200
Nursing homes are meant to be somewhat of a safe haven for older adults. Unfortunately, health issues due to neglect — like pressure sores — occur far more often than they should. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that more than 1 in 10 nursing home residents end up developing pressure sores (also called bedsores). Needless to say, this is a big problem, as bedsores can lead to life-threatening infections if left untreated.
This just goes to show how important it is for nursing homes to stay vigilant when it comes to taking good care of their residents. If a resident in a nursing home is getting pressure sores, it could be a sign that something’s not right. Bedsores are, generally, preventable, so if a nursing home resident has bedsores, it’s a sure sign of neglect.
In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about pressure sores in nursing homes. We’ll discuss what can happen when pressure sores aren’t treated in the early stages, as well as some ways that pressure sores can be prevented. We’ll also be going over what you can do if your loved one develops a pressure sore. This might involve reporting the nursing home for elder abuse or even filing a lawsuit. Let’s get started!
Pressure sores, also known as bedsores or pressure ulcers, are injuries to the skin that happen when there’s constant pressure on a certain part of the body for a long time. They often happen to people who can’t move around much and spend a lot of time in a bed, chair, or wheelchair — especially those in nursing homes who have mobility issues.
Preventing bedsores in nursing homes is more important than you might think. While most bedsores in nursing homes can get better with the right care, they can become really serious and even life-threatening if not treated quickly. The problem is, that many nursing homes are understaffed, and this means that caregivers might not notice or even care when a resident gets a bedsore.
Nursing home staff are supposed to prevent bedsores, so if someone still gets them, it could mean they’re not getting the care they need. In these types of situations, a lawyer who specializes in nursing home abuse can help you build a case against the nursing home. These lawyers may be able to help you get compensation from the nursing home and the staff members responsible for your loved one’s bedsore.
Pressure sores in nursing homes often happen because of neglect or abuse by the staff members. There are a few common ways these sores can develop, and they all involve the skin not getting enough blood flow. Let’s take a closer look at the most common causes of pressure sores below.
Constant pressure on the skin can stop oxygen and nutrients from reaching the skin tissue. This lack of blood flow can harm and destroy the tissue, eventually causing a pressure sore to form.
When moist skin, especially the top layers, rubs against clothing or bedding, it can get damaged. This tends to be a big problem for nursing home residents with incontinence issues.
When two surfaces move in opposite directions, it’s called shear. This can happen if a bed is raised at the head, making the person slide down while their skin over the bones stays in place.
Pressure sores come in four stages, ranging from mild (Stage 1) to severe (Stage 4), and the severity can indicate potential neglect or abuse in a nursing home. As previously discussed, pressure sores happen when you stay in one position for a long time, like if you’re bedridden or paralyzed. Let’s go over the four stages of pressure sores below.
At this stage, the bedsore looks different from the surrounding skin. Only the top layer is affected, and it’s not open or cracked yet. It’s the mildest form, and to prevent it from getting worse, nursing home staff should regularly change the person’s position and provide proper wound care. Though Stage 1 bedsores can heal in a few days, early identification and treatment are super important when it comes to alleviating the patient’s discomfort (and preventing more serious issues).
If a Stage 1 pressure sore isn’t treated, it can progress to Stage 2. A Stage 2 pressure sore will go into the inner layer of the skin and might have fluid or a blister. While it breaks into the second layer of skin, it can still heal in a few days with proper care. Identifying a Stage 2 bedsore early is important to prevent more complications, like infections spreading to the blood, bones, and organs, for example.
At this point, neglect or abuse may be happening, unless the patient has been newly admitted to the nursing home. The pressure sore goes through the second layer of skin and fat tissue, and resembles a crater. Usually, it will turn black due to dead tissue. Treatment involves antibiotics and supportive measures to fight infection and speed up the healing process.
This is the most severe type of bedsore, and nursing homes are expected to prevent and treat it. It affects muscles and ligaments, and often takes months to heal or may never heal in cases where the patient has a chronic condition. Stage 4 bedsores usually form on bony areas with less fat and muscles, like the hips, tailbone, back, and ankles. Needless to say, Stage 4 bedsores are extremely unpleasant, and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Pressure sores on their own are uncomfortable, but in the early stages, they’re not usually life-threatening. The complications that occur due to Stage 3 and Stage 4 pressure sores, however, can be deadly. Let’s take a closer look at these complications below.
When pressure sores in nursing homes get infected, it can result in symptoms like fever, chills, confusion, a fast heart rate, and weakness. These infections may extend to joints and bones, which can cause harm to cartilage and tissue. Some people may even experience cellulitis, an infection that affects the skin and soft tissue, and is characterized by warmth, redness, and swelling.
Wounds that don’t heal properly can potentially lead to squamous cell carcinoma — a type of skin cancer. This is obviously quite serious and serves as a good reason why pressure sores need to be treated before they reach Stages 3 and 4. If your loved one develops cancer due to preventable bedsores in a nursing home, that’s definitely a good reason to file a lawsuit against said nursing home.
In severe cases, nursing home bedsores can progress to sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition that’s triggered by an existing infection. Sepsis is scary because it can cause death quite quickly (in as little as 12 hours). Typically, sepsis will occur with Stage 4 bedsores — which, thankfully, are preventable, as long as the nursing home staff is on top of things.
To prevent pressure sores in nursing homes, make sure the patient, whether in bed or a wheelchair, is moved frequently. Wheelchair patients should be repositioned every 15 minutes, while bedridden patients should be repositioned every 2 hours. Use soft surfaces, including wheelchair cushions and special mattresses, to reduce friction and minimize the risk of bed sores.
Protect and monitor the patient’s skin as if their life depends on it because it truly does. Use mild soap during bathing and take precautions to prevent excess moisture, especially for patients dealing with incontinence. Keep their skin dry and infection-free. When it comes to pressure sores, being able to identify them early through proper monitoring can prevent them from getting worse.
In nursing homes, it’s the facility’s responsibility to provide adequate caloric, vitamin, mineral, and fluid intake for the patients. Malnourishment can lead to skin breakdown, so make sure to ask your loved one about their diet, how frequently they’re given meals, and how often their mineral levels are checked. The better their nutrition is, the less likely it is that they’ll develop pressure sores.
Discovering that your loved one in a nursing home has a pressure sore can be not only disheartening but a little frightening. As you now know, pressure sores can be life-threatening when left untreated. If you find out that your loved one has a pressure sore, you may want to consider reporting the nursing home to a nursing home abuse law firm.
A nursing home abuse law firm, in particular, will be able to help you build a strong case against the nursing home. This is an important step because you’ll be holding the nursing home responsible for their actions, as well as making sure that your loved one receives the medical attention they need. Contact us to discuss your case.
No. Our injury cases are handled on a contingent retainer. You pay nothing upfront, and we recover attorney’s fees only if your litigation is successful. We don’t bill by the hour. You don’t need to worry about running up a large attorney’s bill before you see any recovery for your injuries.
Yes. Our firm is dedicated to creating a strong relationship with our clients, beginning with keeping your information and consultation confidential.
Each case we encounter is carefully screened and evidence scrutinized to make sure the claim is meritorious and may be successful at trial. We will perform an investigation, and then our partners make a final decision on whether to take on a case.
