UPDATE: Pressure Ulcers and Bed Sores May Be Signs of Abuse or Neglect

 Posted on June 15, 2023 in Bed Sores

Update: As discussed below, bed sores can be very serious, and they often occur due to nursing home neglect. However, these injuries can vary in severity, and their effects can range from mild discomfort to serious bodily harm that affects a person's overall health and well-being. By understanding the different types of bed sores, family members of nursing home patients who have suffered these types of injuries can make sure their loved ones will receive the proper care. They can also take steps to determine who was responsible and make sure that issues related to neglect will be addressed correctly.Bed sores are generally classified into four stages of severity:

• Stage 1: When bed sores first develop, they will usually involve some redness or discoloration, as well as sensations of pain or itchiness. To prevent sores from developing further, a patient should be moved regularly, which will relieve pressure on the affected area and ensure that blood can flow properly.
• Stage 2: If symptoms of bed sores are not addressed correctly, they may develop into wounds that affect multiple layers of skin tissue. These sores will usually involve open wounds, including scrapes or blisters. The area around a sore will be swollen, and a person may experience serious pain. Treatment for these sores will involve changing positions while also cleaning and bandaging wounds.
• Stage 3: Without treatment, bed sores may continue to develop and penetrate into deeper layers of the skin or fat tissue. These wounds will have a crater-like appearance, and they may also become infected, leading to red, swollen tissue, drainage of pus or fluid, and an unpleasant smell. Dead tissue around the sore may turn black. These sores will require more extensive treatment, including the removal of dead tissue and medications to address infections.
• Stage 4: The most serious bed sores will penetrate through the skin and affect internal tissues. They may result in damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bones. They are also likely to result in serious infections. In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair the damage and ensure that a person can heal properly.

Contact Our Chicago Nursing Home Bed Sore Injury Lawyers

If your loved one has experienced bed sores while residing in a nursing home, it is likely that neglect played a role in this situation. At Schwartz Injury Law, our Cook County nursing home neglect attorneys can help you determine your options for holding a negligent facility responsible for the harm done to your loved one and your family. Contact us at 312-535-4625 to set up a free consultation.Add the following to the list of Sources:https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/pressure-sores-4-stages

Decubitus ulcers, also known as bed sores, pressure ulcers, pressure sores, or pressure wounds are a painful, sometimes life-threatening medical condition which is sadly common in elderly or disabled individuals. Many residents living in long-term care facilities like nursing homes and assisted living facilities struggle with bed sores due to mobility problems. In fact, studies show that one in five nursing home residents have experienced pressure ulcer symptoms at some point in their stay.

Bed Sores Are Caused by Long Periods of Inertness

Pressure ulcers can be a sign of nursing home abuse and neglect because they are often caused by residents being left alone for long periods of time. Pressure ulcers are injuries caused by persistent pressure or friction on a person’s body. When a non-disabled person lays in bed, he or she is able to move around and find a comfortable position. When a person is immobilized by physical or cognitive disability, they cannot relieve pressure that builds up on certain body parts. Pressure ulcers commonly form on a person’s buttocks, back, backs of arms and legs, head, elbows, hips, ankles, and heels. Pressure ulcers do not form spontaneously but instead grow in severity over time. In addition to being tremendously painful, untreated pressure ulcers can lead to infection, sepsis, cellulitis, and even death.

Understaffing Can Cause Some Residents to Be Neglected

It is no secret that many long-term care facilities and nursing homes are distressingly understaffed. These institutions simply do not have the resources necessary to care for residents in the way they deserve to be cared for. Furthermore, nursing home staff are often under-educated regarding healthcare practices and lack proper training on how to prevent and treat bed sores. Immobile residents in a nursing home should be frequently monitored and repositioned in order to prevent pressure ulcers from forming.

Warning Signs of Bed Sores

If you have a loved one who is unable to care for himself or herself, make sure to be on the lookout for signs of pressure ulcers. Some common early signs that bed sores are forming include:

• Pain or tenderness in bony areas of the body;
• Skin discoloration;
• Changes in skin texture;
• Pink or red blister-like wounds;
• Swelling;
• Pus-like fluid on bed linens or clothing; and
• Skin that feels cool or hot to the touch.

Pressure Ulcers Injury Attorneys Serving Cook County

If you or a loved one has experienced nursing home abuse or neglect, contact the experienced Chicago nursing home abuse and injury attorneys at Schwartz Injury Law. To schedule a free consultation with our office, call us today at 312-535-4625. 

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bed-sores/symptoms-causes/syc-20355893

https://www.aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/bedsores

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/pressure-sores-4-stages