Did Your Loved One Suffer Pressure Ulcers in a Nursing Home?
Bedsores are common in places with bedridden patients like hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities, but that doesn't make them excusable. When nursing home staff are not properly trained or have too many patients, mistakes can happen that cause intensive suffering to society's most vulnerable.
As licensed medical doctors, the Phoenix bedsore injury attorneys at Cullan & Cullan have extensive knowledge of the proper care needed for the prevention and treatment of bedsores. Our experience has resulted in over $350 million won for our clients.
Call (602) 900-9483 to discuss your nursing home abuse case with our team.
What Causes Bedsores?
Bedsores, also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers, are a common sign of abuse and neglect in nursing homes. These occur in sedentary persons in places on the body where bone and skin are closest, such as the hips, ankles, elbows, and heels. It is vital that nursing home staff take proper care and precaution against bedsores, including regularly moving patients and promptly treating patients who have arrived from the hospital with sores present.
Can Bedsores Be Prevented?
A patient’s position should be changed every 15 minutes for those in a wheelchair and once every 2 hours for those who are bedridden. Patients should also not be made to rest directly on their hips and skin should be kept clean, dry, and free of infection. Of course, proper nutrition and regular exercise plays a big part in preventing bedsores and skin damage, and physicians, nurses, and physical therapists should be kept well-informed on their patient’s wellbeing.
Four Stages of Bedsores
There are four different stages of bedsores:
- Stage 1: Sores are painful or warm to the touch and may appear red or blueish in color.
- Stage 2: Open wounds, fluid-filled blisters, and pink-colored areas on the body.
- Stage 3: Deep wounds with yellow-colored tissue.
- Stage 4: The final, advanced stage may expose muscle or bone and dried dead skin tissue.
Treating Bedsores
Treatment includes antibiotics and keeping the affected area clean and dry, especially in the earlier stages. Later stages may require surgical intervention, pain medication, and muscle relaxers. Cushions, pillows, and specialized mattresses should always be made available to patients with bedsores.
Get Help From Our Family of Doctor-Lawyers
When you need legal representation from a firm you can count on, turn to Cullan & Cullan in Phoenix. We are a family-run firm of doctors and lawyers who utilize their extensive knowledge and expertise to help victims of negligence receive the financial compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.