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Bedsores are a more serious condition than some may realize and are often a sign of nursing home neglect. If your loved one has developed these types of ulcers, they will likely need medical attention. Additionally, you should consider consulting a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer who could help you investigate the situation.
Reach out to Schiller & Hamilton today if your relative has suffered bedsores in a York County nursing home. Our attorneys could help you obtain the care your relative needs and the justice they deserve.
What are Bedsores?
Bedsores arise when there is consistent pressure on one area of the skin. Continual rubbing and friction could also cause skin ulcers. This condition is prevalent in people who are in wheelchairs or bed-bound. Medical professionals grade the severity of bedsores on a scale of one to four. Stage Four is the gravest condition where the patient suffers not only skin destruction, but also that of bones, muscles, joints, and tendons.
Parts of the Body Frequently Affected by Bedsores
The areas of the body that are persistently resting on mattresses or wheelchairs are at risk for developing these pressure sores. In wheelchair-using individuals, wounds often present on the buttocks, legs, arms, shoulder blades, and spine. These same areas may also suffer damage in bed-bound patients with additional areas of concern including the sides and back of the head, edges of the ears, lower back, hips, knees, ankles, and heels.
Dangerous Complications Stemming from Bedsores
Stage One symptoms are minor and form as discolored skin that may be warm to the touch and spongy. With prompt medical attention during Stages One and Two, healing could take place without further difficulty. The severity of these sores could quickly escalate and lead to debilitating, if not life-threatening, complications including:
- Infections in the tissue, bones, and joints
- Sepsis
- Cellulitis
- Meningitis
- Untimely death
During the more advanced disease stages, invasive medical procedures such as debridement and surgery may be necessary to preserve tissues, limbs, and save lives. Families have the right to protect the loved ones they put in the care of these facilities. An attorney who regularly handles nursing home abuse cases involving bedsores may be able to help.
Preventing Bedsores in Nursing Home Residents
When a person develops bedsores in a long-term care facility in York County, inattention and neglect are the likely the primary causes. Caregivers have a responsibility to prevent this devastating skin damage from occurring. Failure to provide adequate resident care violates South Carolina’s Omnibus Adult Protection Act found in South Carolina Code of Laws § 43-35-5. These protections are assured under the Federal Code of Regulations Title 42 § 483.12 and 483.10.
While not all pressure ulcers are preventable, following these steps may drastically reduce the number and severity of them:
- Changing the patient’s position often (every two hours for those in beds)
- Inspecting skin frequently to catch incubating sores early
- Regularly exercising patients based on their unique needs
- Utilizing specialized mattresses and other devices to alleviate pressure points
- Providing a healthy diet
These suggestions are time-consuming and possibly expensive, but they are necessary for resident well-being. With proper care, training, and attention, York County nursing homes residents may be able to avoid bedsores.
Call Us Today to Speak with a York County Lawyer About Bedsores in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities hold themselves to professional standards and promise care for your loved ones. Sometimes they fall short and your relative could suffer from bedsores in a York County nursing home. After securing the necessary medical attention, consider speaking with our experienced attorneys who may help you contact the proper authorities and seek redress for your loved one’s neglect.