Bed Sores
What are Bed Sores?
A bedsore is a skin sore that frequently appears as a result of pressure on the skin from staying in one position when resting in bed.
Medical patients who are confined to their beds, wheelchairs, or other similar areas frequently have bedsores. However, caregivers or family should move patients frequently enough to prevent bedsores. Bedsores can be prevented by maintaining clean, dry skin, moving around frequently, and changing the bedding on a regular basis. They are frequently linked to allegations of nursing home mistreatment and, occasionally, medical negligence.
Bedsores frequently develop in one or more of the following locations on the skin:
- Shoulder Blades
- Heels
- Spine
- Hips
- Tailbone
- Ankles
- Toes
- Elbows
- Back of Legs or Arms
Bedsores can be formed by a variety of factors, including friction, shearing, and overall neglect for underlying medical concerns, although pressure is the most common one. Since bedsores are virtually always avoidable, they should be taken seriously as a warning sign that something is amiss with the care of your loved one.
How Do Bedsores Relate to Medical Malpractice Cases?
Elderly persons receiving professional care either in their own homes or in assisted living and long-term care institutions have significantly increased in recent years. According to statistics, there will likely be a large growth in the population of “senior citizens.” Concerns about facility overcrowding and a lack of qualified caregivers for assisted living residents are growing.
Whatever the case, a certain minimal standard of care must be provided by those who look out for our senior family members. If they don’t, and bedsores develop as a result, they can be held accountable for medical malpractice. When a medical provider does not take steps to avoid bedsores, they may be held liable. In other cases, nursing home abuse—which is occasionally seen as a type of medical negligence when it occurs in the context of medical care—causes bedsores.
Some of the Most Common Causes of Bedsores
In an assisted living or healthcare facility, bed sores are a telltale sign that your loved one is not getting proper care. Bedsores are entirely avoidable, and therefore when they develop, someone has failed to perform their duty. Some of the most common reasons for bedsores include:
- Not utilizing mattresses with pressure relief or reduction
- Failing to appropriately treat bedsores when they first arise
- Refusing to offer further pressure-relieving techniques, like employing cushions or pillows,
- Not changing the linens as frequently as necessary (to reduce moisture and other general sanitary requirements)
- Failing to look for symptoms of increased pressure on the patient’s body
- Not making sure your loved one is properly hydrated and fed
- Failing to move a patient regularly, at least every few hours
Patients in hospitals and the elderly frequently struggle to express their pain or distress. In order to prevent bedsores from forming, we mainly rely on caregivers. Bedsores are prone to infection and can be extremely painful. As a result, they may result in even more severe health issues.
Addressing Bedsores
You should do something to make sure that your loved one’s requirements are met as a family member. Speak up if you see any warning signs in your loved one, such as red spots or exposed skin.
Ask the caregiver how often your loved one is moved, how often the sheets are changed, and what cleaning and hygienic procedures they use. Such neglect and abuse are less likely to happen in the first place when nursing home staff members are aware that family members are keeping a close eye on their loved ones.
It’s a good idea to look out for your loved one’s best interests as much as you can, even though you shouldn’t have to worry about their care when they are in the hands of a professional. If your loved one suffers from bedsores, it’s likely that others are also receiving the same care.
Contact an Attorney if Your Loved One is Suffering from Bedsores
If you recently discovered that your loved one is suffering from bedsores, make sure you contact an attorney for legal help.
Before taking action, you’ll need to speak with a lawyer to find out if you have grounds for a case. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to provide you with counsel and help determine the best course of action to protect your loved one.
If you suspect neglect or abuse, get help as soon as possible.
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