When a loved one lives in a nursing home, you trust the facility to provide the care and attention they need. That includes helping residents move regularly, monitoring their skin, providing proper nutrition and hydration, and addressing health concerns before they become serious.
If you discover that your loved one has developed bed sores, also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers, you may wonder whether the nursing home is providing appropriate care.
Bed sores are not automatically proof of nursing home neglect. Some residents are particularly vulnerable because of serious medical conditions or limited mobility. However, bed sores can be a warning sign of inadequate care, especially when they are severe, repeatedly develop, or are not properly treated.
Bed sores are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure on an area of the body. They commonly develop in people who spend extended periods sitting or lying in the same position.
Residents with limited mobility may be especially vulnerable because they cannot easily reposition themselves without assistance.
Bed sores commonly develop around bony areas of the body, including:
Without proper attention, what begins as redness or irritation can develop into a serious wound.
Bed sores can develop when constant pressure reduces blood flow to the skin. Residents who cannot independently move or change positions rely on nursing home staff to help reduce this pressure.
Several factors can increase a resident’s risk, including:
Because nursing homes care for residents with these risk factors every day, staff should recognize which residents may be vulnerable and take appropriate preventive measures.
Not every bed sore means neglect occurred. However, the circumstances surrounding the injury matter.
A bed sore may raise concerns about neglect if staff failed to identify a resident’s risk, did not reposition the resident appropriately, failed to monitor changes in the skin, or did not provide appropriate treatment after a wound developed.
Potential warning signs can include:
If you notice these issues, asking questions about your loved one’s care is important.
Bed sores can range from relatively minor skin irritation to deep wounds involving tissue, muscle, or even bone.
As pressure injuries become more severe, residents may experience significant pain and face an increased risk of complications. Open wounds can become infected, and infections can spread if they are not appropriately treated.
For an older adult who may already have other health concerns, complications from a serious pressure injury can have a significant impact on their overall health and quality of life.
This is one reason prevention, early identification, and proper treatment are so important.
Nursing homes should evaluate residents for pressure injury risks and develop care plans based on their individual needs.
Depending on the resident, appropriate care may include:
If a nursing home knows a resident is at risk but fails to take appropriate precautions, that failure may warrant further investigation.
If you discover a bed sore, start by asking the nursing home about the injury and the treatment your loved one is receiving.
Ask when the wound was first discovered, how serious it is, what treatment has been provided, and what the facility is doing to prevent the condition from worsening.
You may also want to:
If you believe your loved one’s health or safety is in immediate danger, seek appropriate medical or emergency assistance first.
You do not need to know for certain that neglect occurred before speaking with an attorney.
Nursing home neglect cases can involve complicated medical records, care plans, staffing information, and other evidence that families may not have access to on their own.
An attorney can investigate the circumstances surrounding the bed sores and determine whether the nursing home provided appropriate care.
This may include reviewing medical records, evaluating the resident’s care plan, examining how the wound progressed, speaking with witnesses, and consulting medical professionals when necessary.
Discovering a serious bed sore on someone you love can leave you with many questions. Was the injury preventable? Did staff recognize the warning signs? Was your loved one receiving the level of care they needed?
Martin Law Office, S.C. helps Wisconsin families investigate potential nursing home neglect and understand their legal options.
With experience handling cases involving both complicated medical issues and personal injury law, Martin Law Office can carefully examine what happened and determine whether negligence may have contributed to your loved one’s injuries.
We can help gather evidence, review medical documentation, communicate with the nursing home and its insurance company, and pursue compensation when negligent care has caused harm.
Bed sores should never simply be ignored. While their presence does not automatically mean a nursing home was negligent, serious or worsening pressure injuries can be a reason to take a closer look at the care your loved one is receiving.
If you believe a Wisconsin nursing home failed to properly care for your loved one, Martin Law Office, S.C. can help you understand your rights and determine what steps to take next.
Call 414-856-4010 for a free, confidential consultation.
Martin Law Office serves families in Oak Creek, Milwaukee, and throughout Wisconsin. There is no fee unless the firm wins your case.</span
