Bedsores Caused by Nursing Home Neglect and Medical Malpractice

Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, are a significant and preventable issue commonly encountered in healthcare settings such as nursing homes and hospitals, long-term care facilities, and assisted living facilities.

These injuries typically affect nursing home residents and medical patients who are bed-ridden, confined to wheelchairs, or unable to reposition themselves without assistance.

When left untreated, bedsores can escalate to life-threatening conditions, underscoring the critical importance of attentive care and proactive prevention.

The Alarming Reality of Bedsores in Nursing Homes & Healthcare Facilities

Nursing home neglect is a pervasive issue that can lead to the development of bedsores caused by neglect. Healthcare facilities are entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the well-being of their residents.

Despite this, bedsores continue to pose a prevalent problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 159,000 nursing home residents in the U.S. suffer from pressure ulcers annually—representing nearly one in ten individuals.

This staggering statistic highlights the need for greater oversight, staffing improvements, and adherence to established care protocols to properly care for at-risk individuals.

Healthcare practitioners, including doctors, nurses, and caregivers, bear the duty of preventing bedsores through routine monitoring and repositioning of immobile patients.

However, staffing shortages, inadequate training, and insufficient supervision often contribute to lapses in care, resulting in unnecessary patient suffering.

In such cases, healthcare facilities may be held legally accountable for neglect. Nursing home abuse lawyers play a critical role in holding facilities accountable and seeking justice for affected residents and their family members.

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What Are Bedsores?

Bedsores develop as a result of prolonged pressure on specific areas of the skin, restricting blood flow to underlying tissues.

Without adequate circulation, these tissues begin to break down, leading to ulceration. This condition typically manifests in areas where the bones are close to the skin, such as the heels, hips, tailbone, and elbows.

Bedsores can develop rapidly, especially when nursing home residents or medical patients in long-term care facilities are left unattended for extended periods.

How Does Neglect Lead to Bedsores?

Nursing home neglect often manifests through failure to adhere to basic preventive measures, such as repositioning patients at regular intervals, maintaining proper hygiene, and ensuring adequate nutrition and hydration.

When these steps are neglected, bedsores can rapidly progress and worsen. This form of neglect not only leads to physical pain but can also result in more severe complications such as bone infection and even death.

Primary Causes of Bedsores:

1. Pressure: Constant pressure over bony areas reduces blood flow, depriving tissues of oxygen and nutrients.
2. Friction: Rubbing between the skin and bedding or clothing can irritate and wear down the layers of skin.
3. Shear: This occurs when the skin moves in one direction while the underlying bones move in another, causing tissue damage beneath the surface.

Stages of Bedsores:

• Stage 1: Skin appears red or discolored and may feel warm or tender. At this point, no open wound is visible.
• Stage 2: A shallow, open sore or blister develops, exposing the skin.
• Stage 3: The ulcer deepens, reaching the subcutaneous fat layer.
• Stage 4: The most severe stage, characterized by extensive damage to muscles, tendons, and bones. Infection risk is significantly higher at this stage.

The Devastating Impact of Untreated Bedsores

When left untreated, bedsores can lead to severe complications, such as:

• Sepsis: A life-threatening infection that spreads through the bloodstream.
• Cellulitis: A bacterial skin infection that can lead to tissue destruction.
• Osteomyelitis: An infection that reaches the bones, requiring extensive medical intervention.
• Necrotizing fasciitis: A rare but aggressive bacterial infection that causes tissue death.
• Death: In extreme cases, untreated bedsores can lead to fatal infections or systemic organ failure.

These potential complications emphasize the importance of early detection and immediate intervention.

Nursing home neglect that leads to bedsores may also qualify as elder abuse, especially when neglect is coupled with physical abuse or failure to relieve pressure on vulnerable areas.

How to recognize bedsores

Early detection is key to preventing the progression of bedsores. Caregivers and family members should regularly inspect at-risk areas and be vigilant for signs such as:

• Unusual swelling or tenderness
• Discolored or red patches of skin
• Pus-like drainage or foul odors
• Areas that feel warmer or cooler than surrounding skin
• Open wounds or blisters

By recognizing these warning signs, family members can help ensure nursing facilities and hospitals take the necessary steps to properly care for their loved ones.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Certain populations are particularly vulnerable to developing bedsores. Recognizing these risk factors allows for targeted prevention. High-risk groups include:

• Elderly individuals with limited mobility
• Patients with spinal cord injury or neurological conditions
• Individuals with diabetes, vascular disease, or poor circulation
• Those experiencing malnutrition or dehydration
• Patients with incontinence, leading to prolonged skin exposure to moisture
• Individuals with reduced sensory perception, limiting their ability to feel the discomfort of early-stage ulcers

Preventing Bedsores in Nursing Homes & Hospitals

Proactive prevention strategies are essential to minimize the risk of bedsores. Key preventive measures include:

• Repositioning patients regularly to relieve pressure on vulnerable areas.
• Using specialized mattresses that reduce pressure.
• Maintaining good hygiene to keep the skin clean and dry.
• Providing adequate nutrition and hydration to support skin integrity.
• Ensuring proper clothing and bedding to prevent friction.
• Training staff members to recognize early warning signs and respond promptly.

Steps to Take if You Suspect Neglect

If you or a loved one develops bedsores while under the care of a healthcare facility, it is crucial to take swift action. Follow these steps to protect the patient and gather evidence:

1. Request medical attention immediately to address the wound and prevent further deterioration.
2. Document the injury by taking photographs of the affected areas.
3. Keep detailed records of medical treatments and communications with the facility.
4. Contact nursing home abuse lawyers specializing in nursing home neglect to explore legal action.

Legal Recourse for Bedsore Victims

Neglect leading to bedsores is a form of medical malpractice. Under the Arkansas Medical Malpractice Act, victims of negligent care have the right to seek justice and compensation for their suffering. Potential claims may include:

• Medical expenses related to bedsore treatment
• Pain and suffering endured by the patient
• Loss of quality of life and emotional distress
• Wrongful death in cases involving fatal complications
• Punitive damages in instances of egregious neglect

If you notice warning signs of a bedsore, change your position to ease pressure on the area. If the area doesn’t improve in 24 to 48 hours, contact a trusted healthcare professional.

Seek medical care right away if you notice signs of infection. These include fever, drainage from a sore, a sore that smells bad, and warmth or swelling around a sore. 

Once the patient is in good hands and has their immediate healthcare and safety needs met, consider taking the following steps:

• Gather evidence of medical care or lack of.
• Document the injuries with photographs of the bedsores.
• Contact a lawyer to determine if there is any negligence at play.

Our process for bedsores

You may be asking yourself, “Do personal injury attorneys handle nursing home abuse cases?” The answer is yes! 

We also handle medical malpractice cases, which can occur in facilities like hospitals and other residential care facilities such as doctor’s offices, rehab facilities, and outpatient care places. Read here about the difference between neglect and malpractice.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

At The Law Offices of Craig L. Cook, we are committed to advocating for victims of nursing home neglect. With over 60 years of combined experience, our team understands the complexities of medical malpractice cases. We will work tirelessly to:

• Investigate the circumstances leading to the bedsores
• Hold negligent nursing facilities accountable
• Pursue fair compensation for victims and their families

Personal injury is one of our practice areas, and this covers issues such as preventable bedsores in nursing homes and hospitals. We can answer any questions you may have regarding bedsores, including:

• Who is at fault?
• How did this happen?
• What evidence do I need?

We can walk you through how to prove nursing home negligence and how to sue for medical negligence. These questions and processes aren’t always easy, especially when you or a loved one has been hurt by the very people who are supposed to protect you.

We take great care to ensure our clients’ needs are met, and that includes their financial and medical needs. 

Achieving justice through compensation in bedsore cases

The Arkansas Medical Malpractice Act supports patients’ rights to seek compensation for harm caused by negligent healthcare. 

Our attorneys can help patients fight for those rights to recover damages for various expenses:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life
• In some cases, wrongful death
• In some cases, punitive damages

Book a free consultation with us to get started on the journey toward receiving fair compensation.