Bedsores, also called pressure injuries or pressure ulcers, occur when constant pressure is applied to a specific area. They are typically found around bony areas like the hips, tailbone, shoulders, or head. Anyone can develop these types of injuries, but they are most prevalent in aging adults because our skin becomes thinner and more easily damaged with age. We also move around less regularly, which keeps pressure in one area longer, increasing the damage.
If you or a loved one developed bedsores in a nursing home, knowing how to handle them can decrease the risk of a severe infection. It is also essential to understand that bedsores in Indianapolis nursing homes should not happen if the staff is doing their job correctly. Consult a nursing home abuse lawyer to see if you qualify for compensation for your pain.
Bedsores can appear on a nursing home resident within just a few hours of direct pressure. However, depending on the following factors, the damage may take days or weeks to form:
If an aging adult has these health conditions, nursing home staff, hospital staff, and family members should be aware of their risk and take preventive measures.
The problem with bed sores is that they first appear as red, blue, or purple patches that resemble bruises. Therefore, when first noticed, most people think it is a bruise. However, when touched, their color will not change to white like a bruise would. Additionally, they will get worse over time rather than heal.
Bedsores may have a bad odor, look swollen, or feel warm to the touch. A nursing home resident may develop fever, chills, and/or confusion if the bedsore becomes infected. If treatment is not provided, septic shock can form in their bloodstream. Therefore, if a nursing home has a red area on their body, they should change their position to see if the redness fades. If the condition does not improve or worsens, they should seek medical attention to prevent complications.
The physician will categorize the injury as one of the following based on the stage of its advancement:
Sometimes, the wound may be covered by dead tissue or blood-filled, making its staging difficult.
Bedsores often occur in older and immobile adults for a variety of reasons. Nursing home staff should change the patient’s position at the first sign of redness to see if it goes away. Additionally, healthcare professionals should treat the patient immediately if the redness progresses or does not go away.
Families who believe the nursing home staff could have prevented a bedsore should photograph the condition, document details, and take the patient to a doctor. The doctor can provide stage details and confirm the presence of bedsores.
Indiana residents can also report nursing home neglect to the Department of Health, a long-term care ombudsman, adult protective services, or local law enforcement if they feel the staff could have done more to prevent injury. This will further document the incident and protect the elder’s rights if they choose to seek legal action against the nursing home.
Bedsores or pressure injuries happen if a person does not move often enough and has inadequate blood flow to that area. Severe abscesses do not just appear; they usually come after hours or days of staying in the same position.
If you feel that you or a loved one developed painful bedsores while in a nursing home because they neglected to help you, McCready Law wants to talk to you about your options. Bedsores in Indianapolis nursing homes should never happen, and we want to help you hold the responsible nursing home staff accountable for your injuries. Please feel free to contact us today for a consultation regarding your claim.
