All too often, residents of nursing home facilities are subject to poor or improper care, sometimes resulting in serious health issues. Among the most common injuries in nursing homes are bedsores, sores caused by pressure, friction, or shear that require prompt attention to avoid serious complications.
Bedsores| Decubitus Ulcers | Pressure Sores
Pressure sores are the most common cause of bedsores in a nursing home setting. When lying or sitting for long periods, skin is compressed between the bone and the surface of a bed, wheelchair, or chair causing blood flow to be restricted depriving the tissue of oxygen and other nutrients. Following extended periods of lying or sitting in the same position. pressure sores can develop on the shoulder blade, tailbone, hip, spine, elbow, hands, feet and other areas of the body that lack a layer of protective fat or tissue. A lack of blood flow to any of these areas can lead to skin death in just a few hours, damage that spreads to deeper layers of tissue if left untreated.
Shear and the Development of Bedsores
Shear can also result in the development of bedsores. Shear happens when skin moves in one direction as the bones move in another. Shear can result when a nursing home resident is pulled, dragged or improperly lifted when moved from one location to another, such as from a bed to a wheelchair or even during repositioning in bed.
Bed Sores Caused by Friction
Friction damages blood vessels, preventing the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the skin resulting in bed sores. Dirty or moist bedding, folds in sheets or blankets, constrictive clothing, or continuous contact with various objects can all cause skin irritation and friction injuries. For residents with mobility issues, friction can easily result in the development of bed sores.
Nursing Home Responsibilities
Nursing homes should take special care when working with at risk patients, which includes any residents that have immobility issues. Residents should be regularly and carefully repositioned to avoid pressure sores from developing. Bedding, clothing and the general environment should be maintained in such a way as to avoid friction injuries. Adequate and fully trained staff and specialized equipment are key to ensure that when residents are repositioned or moved, it does not result in shear injuries. Regular head to toe assessments should be performed to ensure that bedsores are not developing, providing prompt treatment if any problems are detected.
Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer for Help
Ideally, residents with mobility issues living in nursing homes or other care facilities should expect to be cared for properly, without having to worry about developing highly preventable bedsores. However, nursing home neglect can allow a simple issue to mushroom into what can be a life threatening condition. To hold nursing homes accountable when a loved one is harmed in a nursing home due to neglect or abuse, it is important to work with an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorney, who will seek compensation for a loved ones injuries, pain and suffering. If your family member has been injured due to nursing home neglect or abuse, contact Iowa nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer Marc Humphrey for immediate assistance at 515-331-3510.
