Managing Partner
Decubitus ulcers, which are commonly known as bedsores, are painful injuries to the skin and underlying tissue. Nursing home residents with mobility issues are prone to developing bedsores. Bedsores often affect the shoulder blades, ankles, and hips of victims. Nursing homes are required to take steps to prevent residents from forming bedsores. Unfortunately, however, many nursing homes fail to do so, thereby causing residents to develop this serious condition. In this article, we discuss whether bedsores are a sign of nursing home abuse and neglect.
Bedsore Symptoms
Bedsores are a sign of nursing home abuse and neglect. Common symptoms of bedsores include:
- Changes in skin texture or color
- Draining
- Swelling
- Changes in skin temperature
- Tenderness
Common Sites of Bedsores
Nursing home residents who use wheelchairs and are confined to beds are at high risk of developing bedsores. For those who use wheelchairs, bedsores typically form on the following sites:
- Buttocks
- Tailbone
- Spine
- Shoulder blades
- Backs of legs and arms
And for those nursing home residents who are confined to their beds, bedsores often develop on these locations:
- Sides of the head
- Back of the head
- Shoulder blades
- Hips
- Lower back
- Tailbone
- Ankles
- Heels
- Skin behind the knees
Causes of Bedsores
As noted above, bedsores are often the result of nursing home abuse and neglect. Specifically, those who reside in nursing homes often develop bedsores when nursing home employees fail to reposition them. Causes of bedsores among nursing home residents include:
- Limited mobility: Nursing home residents who have limited mobility are at risk of developing bedsores if they aren’t frequently repositioned by nursing home staff members. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, nursing homes routinely fail to reposition residents as required, and this causes the formation of bedsores.
- Friction: Prolonged friction on one area of the skin can result in bedsores. For example, when an area of a person’s skin constantly rubs against his or her bedding or clothing, bedsores can form. Therefore, nursing home employees should remain cognizant of this risk when transporting patients who have mobility issues.
- Pressure: Finally, bedsores can form when pressure is applied to the skin for a prolonged period of time. For example, when a resident of a nursing home stays in one position for a long time without being repositioned by staff, this can result in bedsores.
Contact a Long Island Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer
Nursing homes have a legal obligation to protect their residents from injuries. Unfortunately, however, they sometimes fail to do so. If you or a loved one are a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, Dell & Dean, PLLC, is on your side. When you come to us for help, we will work diligently to hold the facility financially accountable for its actions. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation with a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney.
