Bed Sores: Still Happening And Still Dangerous
With all of the advances of modern medicine, it is surprising that bed sores, or pressure ulcers, still happen frequently in nursing homes throughout the United States. Bed sores develop when people in hospitals or nursing homes are not moved frequently. Individuals placed into beds or wheelchairs are forced to lie or sit in the same position for prolonged periods of time, placing constant pressure on the same areas. Once the bed sore develops, it can be especially difficult to treat, resulting in serious deep tissue injuries or even death. In 2012, with our advanced standards of care and rules designed to prevent the condition from occurring, people should not ever be suffering from bed sores.
Unfortunately, many people each year are still suffering from these painful injuries. It is important to know how bed sores of pressure ulcers can develop. Bed sores can result when hospital or nursing home staff does not monitor patients properly. If patients are not rotated or moved in beds according to procedures, the pressure can result in less blood flow to a specific region, causing the skin to get damaged. Many elderly residents of nursing home with terminal conditions or memory loss problems suffer from bed sores, because they are unable to be as active as other residents.
People who have friends or family in elder care facilities will want to examine them for signs of bed sores, as they are a frequent sign of nursing home abuse or neglect. It is important to check the areas that will come into contact with a mattress, such as an individual’s shoulders, back and ankles.
A bed sore left untreated can have severe consequences. They may lead to sepsis, which can impact major body organs, or other infections in arms and legs. If the infection becomes too difficult to treat with antibiotics, surgery may be necessary. This can be particularly dangerous for elderly individuals who may not be stable enough to undergo an operation.
If your loved one is in a nursing home and suffering from bed sores, contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area to understand the options that may be available for your situation. It is important to find adequate treatment for their condition, because of the potentially serious consequences that may result.