Most, if not all Bed sores, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers should be prevented, and those which have formed need not necessarily get any worse says California Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Steven C. Peck.
Each patient's individual circumstances must be taken into consideration by the caregiver in order to develop a plan of care which will best assure the patient will not unnecessarily suffer from a pressure sore. The following generally represent some of the precautions which health care providers should, but too often fail to undertake:
1. An appropriate and thorough and systematic assessment must be made of the patient's risk for developing a pressure sore;
2. Appropriate periodic reassessment should be made of the patient's risk;
3. The patient should be bathed appropriately;
4. The patient's incontinence should be assessed and treated to assure that moisture on the skin does not contribute to the development of a pressure sore;
5. Appropriate nutrition and hydration must be maintained;
6. Repositioning of the patient should occur with a frequency to assure that the pressure is adequately relieved;
7. Use of appropriate support devices should be maintained to relieve pressure from troublesome areas;
8. Postural alignment, distribution of weight, balance and stability, and pressure relief should be considered when positioning persons in chairs or wheelchairs;
9. Appropriate lifting devices and techniques should be used to assure that shear and friction related injuries are avoided;
10. Education should be given to the patient, family, and caregivers on measures to be taken to avoid pressure sores, and appropriate documentation of such measures.
It is essential to remember that every individual is different, and has different risk factors, thus requiring a customized plan of care and diligence in carrying out the plan of care.
Like many cases involving bed sores (also referred to as: pressure sores, pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers) the nursing homes main argument is usually that the patients wounds were 'unavoidable'.
While there may be a limited number of circumstances where skin-breakdown occurs despite the implementation of all feasible preventative measures--- most cases of bed sores simply result from downright neglect and faulty care-- the facility simply not doing its job in caring for the patients says California Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Steven C. Peck who can be contacted toll free at 1.866.999.9085
