Bed Sores In Nursing Homes

Bedsores, pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcers; whatever name you have heard them referred to as, these are serious injuries to the skin and tissue that are most often preventable. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes emphasize the importance of all actions that can go into preventing bed sores. This may be considered a form of nursing home abuse.

If you have a loved on in a nursing home who is bedridden, it’s important to recognize what bed sores look like, the symptoms your loved one may exhibit, and what steps should be taken by the nursing home to prevent or alleviate these injuries.

What are Bed Sores and What Do I Look for?

When someone is exposed to pressure on the skin for a long period of time, the bony areas may start to develop bedsores, including on:

• Tailbone
• Ankles
• Hips
• Heels

These occur quickly and it’s important to monitor patients most at risk—those with limited mobility.

Bedsores often present various symptoms such as a change in skin color, a change in texture, swelling in the affected area, drainage of pus-like fluids, warmer or cooler skin, and tender areas. Depending on the severity of the damage, bedsores may result in either redness of the skin or as severe as damage to the tissue beneath the skin.

How Should a Nursing Home Prevent Bed Sores?

Should a nursing home label a resident at risk for bed sores, they must also ensure to implement a proper turn schedule to help prevent them from being exposed to prolonged pressure. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes do this.

Turn schedules designate a time when the resident must be turned from one position to another—e.g. from their back to their side. This helps to alleviate the pressure on specific parts of the body, providing relief to the skin and helping to prevent bedsores.

When a nursing home fails to adhere to the duty of care they must provide their residents, serious injuries can occur. Our Oregon nursing home abuse attorneys are here to hold the facility and any negligent staff members accountable for their actions or inactions.

If you need help taking legal action against a nursing home, The Gatti Law Firm has got you covered. We’re ready to stand by your side and guide you through the legal complexities with a focus on obtaining justice for your loved one and for your family.

Call us today at (503) 543-1114 for a free evaluation of your potential case.