Bedsore Development

Nursing Home Attorneys

Pennsylvania / New Jersey / California

Avoidable Wounds
Bed sores, also known as decubitus ulcers or pressure sores, are unfortunately a common occurrence at nursing homes. They are also almost entirely preventable.

Bed sores are pressure-induced skin ulcerations. They involve the death of living tissue and often create deep muscular infections. Severe bed sores can penetrate an individual’s internal organs. Bed sores develop when an individual’s bony prominences (shoulder blades, heels, elbows, sacrum, hips, etc.) are subjected to prolonged pressure. The pressure generally associated with sitting or lying in one place for too long. The continuous pressure irritates the skin and if the pressure is not removed, a nursing home resident will develop a bed sore.

Bed sores have four stages:

1. Stage I bed sores generally consists of a small patch of reddened skin about the size of a quarter. It is usually not painful but it poses a serious threat. If proper measures are not taken the Stage I bed sore can quickly deteriorate.
2. At Stage II, the small patch of skin will grow in size and the wound will begin to develop some depth.
3. By Stage III, the bed sore wound is considerably larger as is the depth. Dead tissue in and around the wound begins to become necrotic (or rot).
4. By Stage IV, the bed sore wound has grown and deepen significantly. Necrotic tissue has often grown considerably and begins emanating a foul smell. Wounds left to deteriorate to a Stage IV are commonly infected. Puss and discharge is also often found. The wound’s depth can often reach the individual’s bone.    

There are also a number of other possible contributing factors that may play a part in bed sore development. These include: malnutrition, dehydration, incontinence (the skin’s exposure to wet or soiled diapers), and the individual’s co-morbidities. 

An individual who is admitted to a nursing home is required under Federal as well as state law in Pennsylvania, California, and New Jersey to be assessed for the potential of skin breakdown. If an individual is at high risk, the nursing staff is required to pay particular attention to the issue. The skin will need to be monitored regularly and interventions (turning or repositioning residents; use of cushions or air mattresses) will need to be put in place.  If these actions are not taken the nursing staff may very well have been negligent.

An experienced nursing home attorney routinely deals with bed sore cases. If you suspect your loved one may be suffering from a bedsore that could have been prevented, contact The Nursing Home Attorneys and get your questions answered.