Medical Malpractice and Bed Sores
Bed sores, or pressure sores, occur when a person remains in one place for a long time. This can cause serious injuries and can have serious impact on a person's life - physically and psychologically. These sores are dangerous because they can cause bodily harm in the hips, elbows, ankles and heels. The wounds can lead to serious complications such as painful sores, sepsis, cellutis, and infections on joints and bones. If a wound is severe enough, it can be deadly. The following are acts of medical negligence that result in these sores.
Hospital negligence - Many illnesses require long periods of bed rest. Pregnancy complications can cause some women to spend months in bed and post surgery patients may require bed rest for complete recovery. During the time of healing and resting, a hospital staff is responsible for ensuring they are providing adequate care. If they do not move the patient, they may get bed sores.
Nursing home abuse - As people age, their mobility decreases. Many nursing home patients have difficulty walking or even moving themselves around in bed. Often times, mobility issues is the main reason the elder was placed in the nursing home. The nursing home's staff is responsible for closely monitoring these patients in order to ensure they change positions regularly. These sores result from not being moved. Bed sores are a red flag that nursing home abuse may be occurring.
Delayed treatment of this condition can cause serious health issues. Many of the complications can be extremely painful, especially to the elderly. Open sores may occur and put the patient at risk of infection. If left untreated for a more significant amount of time, these sores, or "ulcers," may reach deeper into the skin and affect tissue. In what is known as "Stage IV" ulcers, there may be damage to bones, muscles, joints, and tendons.
Misdiagnosis of bed sores will also cause a delay in treatment. Assuming the red spots are another kind of rash can lead to incorrect medications. This may not only delay the treatment of the conditions but cause other health problems.
Bed sores can easily be prevented. Due to the fragile state of nursing home residents, these bed sores can occur often because they are physically unable to adjust themselves. Nursing home residents are at risk for developing these injuries because patients are immobile or have trouble caring for themselves. Unfortunately, negligence amongst medical professionals has caused many patients prolonged suffering from this conditions.
If you believe you or your loved one's bed wounds were caused by the irresponsibility of another party, an attorney can be hired to help investigate the negligence.
Hospital negligence - Many illnesses require long periods of bed rest. Pregnancy complications can cause some women to spend months in bed and post surgery patients may require bed rest for complete recovery. During the time of healing and resting, a hospital staff is responsible for ensuring they are providing adequate care. If they do not move the patient, they may get bed sores.
Nursing home abuse - As people age, their mobility decreases. Many nursing home patients have difficulty walking or even moving themselves around in bed. Often times, mobility issues is the main reason the elder was placed in the nursing home. The nursing home's staff is responsible for closely monitoring these patients in order to ensure they change positions regularly. These sores result from not being moved. Bed sores are a red flag that nursing home abuse may be occurring.
Delayed treatment of this condition can cause serious health issues. Many of the complications can be extremely painful, especially to the elderly. Open sores may occur and put the patient at risk of infection. If left untreated for a more significant amount of time, these sores, or "ulcers," may reach deeper into the skin and affect tissue. In what is known as "Stage IV" ulcers, there may be damage to bones, muscles, joints, and tendons.
Misdiagnosis of bed sores will also cause a delay in treatment. Assuming the red spots are another kind of rash can lead to incorrect medications. This may not only delay the treatment of the conditions but cause other health problems.
Bed sores can easily be prevented. Due to the fragile state of nursing home residents, these bed sores can occur often because they are physically unable to adjust themselves. Nursing home residents are at risk for developing these injuries because patients are immobile or have trouble caring for themselves. Unfortunately, negligence amongst medical professionals has caused many patients prolonged suffering from this conditions.
If you believe you or your loved one's bed wounds were caused by the irresponsibility of another party, an attorney can be hired to help investigate the negligence.
