Bed Sores / Pressure Ulcers / Decubitus Ulcers

San Antonio Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

Patients confined to the bed because of a disability are unable to reposition themselves without assistance. If a nursing home resident is left in the same position for too long, they may develop bed sores. Bedsores are serious and can be fatal if left untreated.

Bed sores are commonly referred to as pressure sores or decubitus sores. They are caused by a lack of blood flow to a part of the skin from extended pressure on one section of the body. Bed sores generally form on areas with obtrusive bones beneath thin layers of skin, such as elbows, tailbone, heels, and shoulder blades.

Neglect Resulting in Bedsores

Diagnosing and treating bedsores should be a top priority for immobile residents. They are at the mercy of their caregiver. In a nursing home environment, the caregiver doesn’t always provide proper care. Neglect plays a huge role in the development of bedsores. Any one of these examples can lead to bedsores or pressure sores:

• Immobile residents left in the same position for an extended amount of time
• Refusing to change soiled diapers or sheets so that the moisture stays close to the skin
• Failing to inspect residents routinely for signs of bedsores
• Failing to supply residents with proper nutrition and hydration
• Failing to notify the family and physician once bedsores are discovered for proper treatment
• Inadequate amount of staff, linens, dressings
• Inadequate training of staff or those with criminal backgrounds

Failing to identify pressure sores may lead to deterioration and possibly death. If the caregiver is not constantly repositioning the patient, changing out the urine soaked sheets, or fecal matter touching the patient’s skin, this could produce bedsores. It leads to dermal decay, then festering necrotic sores. If left untreated, this could lead to septicemia, gangrene, osteomylitis and possibly death. Sometimes nursing home neglect is so severe that it falls under the category of nursing home abuse.

Under the nursing home law, it is mandatory that the nursing homes care for the resident in such a manner and in such an environment as will promote maintenance or enhancement of the quality of life of each resident. These are individuals who deserve to be treated with value and dignity the last few years of their life.

Revisions and improvements can be made to nursing homes immediately following the filing of a lawsuit against nursing home facilities. Nursing homes become more sanitary, smell better, improve in food quality, and most importantly the harmful caregivers are let go.

If you or a loved one has experienced nursing home neglect, leading to bedsores, contact me today. Filing a lawsuit will be a quick start to a resolution, more importantly to an immediate adjustment in nursing home care. If you need a San Antonio Texas nursing home lawyer, call me at 210-227-1888.