Common Names for Bed Sores
"Bed sores" owe their name to the observation that patients who were bedridden and not properly repositioned, would often develop ulcerations or sores on their skin, typically over bony prominences. These bed sores, which result from prolonged pressure, are also called "decubitus ulcers", "pressure sores," and "pressure ulcers ."
How Bed Sores Develop
Bed sores are a localized area of tissue injury that develops when soft tissue is compressed between a bony prominence and an external surface for a prolonged period of time. The external surface may be a mattress, a chair or wheelchair, or even other parts of the body. The soft tissues of the body, such as skin and muscle, depend upon blood vessels to carry nutrients to the tissues, and to remove waste products. Bed sores result when prolonged pressure prevents sufficient blood flow to supply the tissues with nutrients. The resulting bed sore represents the death of the involved soft tissues.
Bed sores can result from one period of sustained pressure; however, most bed sores probably occur as a result of repeated incidents of blood flow interruption without adequate time for recovery. In fact, low pressure endured for long periods of time is believed to be more significant in producing pressure ulcers than higher pressure for shorter durations.
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.
