People being cared for in a long-term care facility count on the staff members to help them with various facets of life. Some of these individuals aren’t fully mobile, so they can’t reposition themselves as needed. Lack of movement and having to be manually transferred to and from beds, chairs, and wheelchairs puts these residents at risk of suffering from pressure sores.
There isn’t ever a valid reason for a person who resides in a long-term care facility to have pressure sores. These are considered a sign of neglect because proper care could have prevented them.
Why are pressure sores such a problem?
A pressure sore, sometimes known as a bedsore, occurs when there is prolonged pressure or force on a specific area of the body. Typically, these open sores occur on bony areas of the body, including ankles, the tailbone or hips. Minor pressure sores can develop in hours, but more severe ones can take days.
These open wounds might not heal completely. They can become infected. In severe cases, the resident will need surgical intervention to debride the wound to facilitate better healing.
It’s also possible that a person will develop cellulitis, cancer or sepsis because of the pressure ulcer. These life-threatening conditions are completely preventable when nursing home residents receive adequate care.
Anyone who’s suffered a pressure sore while living in a long-term care facility should ensure they get immediate medical care for it. They might also pursue a claim for compensation for the facility’s negligence. This can help them to pay for the medical bills and cover other financial damages they may have incurred in treating the pressure sore.
