Bed Sores

Medical professionals are obligated by both Pennsylvania state and federal law, to meet the needs of their residents. One of their essential duties is the frequent repositioning of immobile patients. If this task is not adequately performed, bed sores can quickly form, causing pain, infection, and death in severe cases.

Decubitus, pressure sores, or bed sores are wounds on the skin caused by extended periods of pressure. They begin as minor cuts or scrapes and, with proper care, can be treated easily. But if the patient is neglected, not moved often enough or the minor cuts are left uncared for, the once-small bed sores can develop into large, infected wounds. Bed sores literally eat away at the skin, tissue, and muscle and can even affect bone. When left untreated, bed sores are a source of extreme pain.

Bed sores can appear wherever nursing home residents and patients have prolonged contact with the surface of their bed. The most common areas of the body include:

• Elbows
• Back
• Feet (heels)
• Shoulder blades
• Sacrum (base of spine)
• Buttocks

Bed sores are entirely preventable. Their main cause, as previously mentioned, is continuous pressure. If someone is at risk of developing pressure sores, they should be turned or repositioned at least every two hours. After pressure sores develop, proper hygiene, including frequent bathing, nutrition, and hydration are essential to prevent them from worsening. These are all express duties of the medical professionals at nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Did you discover a bed sore on your loved one? It may be a sign of elder abuse. Contacting a nursing home lawyer in Philadelphia is your best chance for securing the justice that your family member deserves.

Of course, to properly determine whether your loved one isn’t being adequately nourished, it’s essential to contact a medical professional. PA Nursing Home Lawyers Haberman Law works closely with medical professionals to determine the health of your loved one, and whether their nutritional needs are being met by their nursing home or assisted living facility.