When a person has to lie in a bed for an extended period, they are at risk of developing bedsores. These open sores form when blood flow is restricted in certain areas of the body.
Without the appropriate care and attention from staff members, nursing home residents may develop painful bedsores that can lead to serious medical complications. Learn how nursing home bedsores may be a sign of neglect or abuse in care facilities and what to do if you suspect nursing home negligence.
What Are Bedsores?
Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, develop on the skin in response to prolonged pressure, such as when a person remains in the same position in bed for an extended period. They can range from mild tissue wounds to deeper lesions involving the muscle and bone. Stage 4 bedsores are the most severe type, extending to the bone or tendon and placing a person at risk of developing life-threatening infections.
Nursing home residents who have limited mobility or are bedridden have a heightened risk of developing bedsores. Staff are expected to take appropriate measures to prevent these wounds from forming.
A Nursing Home’s Duty To Prevent Bedsores
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities have a responsibility to provide a standard of care that includes reasonable efforts to prevent bedsores. While bedsores may not be entirely preventable for certain residents who are completely bedridden, staff are responsible for taking measures to lower this risk, such as:
- Regularly assessing residents’ health and identifying risks of bedsores
- Providing individualized care to help residents avoid developing bedsores and address other potential health concerns
- Repositioning bedridden residents frequently, helping them sit, stand, and walk as they are able, and providing the appropriate nutrition and hygiene
- Promptly treating residents who do develop bedsores to prevent them from becoming infected or otherwise worsening
What To Do If Your Loved One Develops Bedsores in a Nursing Home
If you have discovered that a loved one has developed bedsores in a nursing home, this might indicate that they are not being cared for properly. Look for other signs or evidence of potential elder neglect, such as:
- Poor hygiene, indicating that your loved one is not being bathed according to the appropriate schedule
- Inadequate wound care, which may look like the breakdown of skin around wounds
- Insufficient staffing, which may be evident if you have trouble finding a staff member to speak with about your loved one, or they seem to be rushing from room to room
- Testimony from your loved one indicating that staff failed to reposition them regularly or care for them in other ways
Legal Options After Suspected Nursing Home Abuse
If you suspect that nursing home neglect or abuse led to your loved one’s bedsores, consult an attorney about your options. You may be able to report the facility by filing a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
You may also have the right to pursue damages from the nursing home to make up for your loved one’s:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
These damages may arise from the initial bedsores, further complications resulting from those bedsores, and any other aspects of nursing home neglect, such as poor hygiene practices or inadequate nutrition.
Explore a Nursing Home Neglect Claim With Experienced Attorneys
Nursing home bedsores are cause for concern, especially when accompanied by other signs of neglect or abuse. If you are considering a negligence claim against a nursing home, contact Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers at 855-296-3413 to schedule a private consultation and we can discuss your options for moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q: What are bedsores and how do they develop in nursing homes?
A: Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are skin wounds caused by prolonged pressure, common in bedridden or immobile residents. They can range from mild to severe, extending to bone.
Q: What is a nursing home’s responsibility in preventing bedsores?
A: Nursing homes must assess residents for risk, provide individualized care, frequently reposition bedridden residents, ensure proper nutrition and hygiene, and promptly treat any bedsores that develop.
Q: What legal options are available if a loved one gets bedsores due to neglect?
A: If bedsores indicate neglect, you can consult an attorney, report the facility to the state health department, and may be able to pursue damages for medical bills, pain, and emotional distress.
