When you have a loved one in a nursing home, you expect that he or she will receive the best possible care. Unfortunately, staff shortages, long hours and other factors can lead to patient neglect. Patient neglect can lead to a wide range of problems, including bedsores.
Bedsores are a type of pressure ulcer that can result in further complications, like skin infections.
What are bedsores?
Bedsores often develop on bony areas of the body. For example, most people develop bedsores on their tailbone, hips, shoulder blades and the backs of arms and legs. Those with the highest risk of developing pressure ulcers are patients with limited mobility.
Signs of pressure ulcers include swelling at the site, unusual skin texture or color changes, tender spots and draining.
How does negligence contribute to bed sores?
Bedsores develop due to pressure. When a patient sits in one position or lays in bed throughout the day without changing positions, the constant pressure will reduce blood flow to the tissue. With the blood supply cut off, nutrients cannot reach various areas of the skin and those areas become damaged. In some cases, the skin dies.
Patients who need help getting up from their bed or cannot walk are more likely to develop bedsores. Nurses may ignore patients, forget to help them change positions or leave them in bed as punishment.
While some patients develop bedsores, despite receiving optimal care, if your loved one develops injuries, you need to investigate it as quickly as possible. Nursing home neglect can lead to severe health complications.