Pressure sores are common conditions among patients hospitalized in acute- and chronic-care facilities. Studies have suggested that, at any given time, 3-10% of hospitalized persons have pressure sores and 2.7% develop new pressure sores.3 Among a selected population, the incidence rate for the development of a new pressure sore has been demonstrated to be much higher, with a range of 7.7-26.9%.
Two thirds of pressure sores that develop in hospitalized patients occur in patients older than 70 years.4 As elderly individuals become the fastest-growing segment of the population, with an estimated 1.5 million people living in extended-care facilities, the problem of pressure sores will have an even more profound influence on the American economy.5 Most studies found the prevalence rate of pressure sores in patients in nursing homes to be 3-6%. However, other studies reported prevalence rates as high as 25-33% says California Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Steven C. Peck.
Pressure sores also occur with a higher frequency in young patients who are neurologically impaired.5 Immobility and lack of sensation make these patients susceptible to developing pressure sores. The incidence rate of pressure sores in these patients has been demonstrated to be approximately 5-8% annually, and 25-85% of these patients develop a pressure sore at some time. Once again, the treatment of pressure sores in this patient population represents a financial challenge, with an average cost per admission of a patient with a pressure sore of $78,000 at one hospital.
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.
