In nursing homes, negligent acts by staff account for the majority of injuries and deaths. Nonetheless, there are situations where the intentional acts by a facility in general or by an individual staff member may similarly result in an injury.
Although bed sores (alternatively referred to as: pressure sore, pressure ulcer or decubitus ulcer) may not necessarily be associated with an intentional act, there are many situations where a bed sore developed because of a conscious decision by nursing home staff to ignore patient needs such as: incontinence, shifting patients in bed and ensuring sufficient nutrition and hydration. Similarly, some nursing homes may intentionally contribute to the development of bed sores when they fail to educate staff regarding preventative measure and treatment programs.
The sad reality is that bed sores can be just as harmful to nursing home patients compared with any other type of abuse-inflicted injury. Nursing home patients who develop bed sores must endure a long, painful and de-humanizing treatment and recovery process.
Steps to take after you notice the development of bed sores during an admission to a nursing home:
•Obtain medical treatment for your loved one immediately
•Document the injury, record dates, times, staff names and photograph or videotape the wound itself
Contact your state's Department of Health and file a complaint related to improper patient care and contact Steven Peck's Premier Legal to talk to an experienced California Bedsore Attorney toll free at 1.866.999.9085 and visit us on-line at www.premierlegal.org.
