If you have a loved one in a nursing home or hospital (or are in one yourself), bedsores could become a concern. Since a bedsore, or decubitus ulcer as they are medically known, can develop over a few hours, they require immediate treatment to prevent them from worsening.
As bedsores are one of the almost completely preventable hospital injuries, it’s important to be wary of this condition occurring. Below is some information on bedsores and how they get ignored by medical staff.
Poor treatment
Staff should reposition patients every two to three hours. They can use positioning wedges to alternate between lying prone or on their sides. Egg-crate mattresses are another tool used to prevent bedsores. Failing to utilize this medical equipment can both contribute to and worsen bedsores.
Failing to check and chart patients
At every staff change, the nurses should check their patients for all symptoms and chart them accordingly. People get bedsores head to heels from long-term (even hours) sitting or lying in the same position.
Failing to chart all changes is practicing poor medical care and can lead to malpractice against the practitioner and the facility.
What options do you have?
Changing facilities is a good idea if you or your loved one are not receiving the care they deserve and need. But you have legal options as well.
Depending on the patient’s condition and the circumstances surrounding the bedsore development, you can file a complaint with the state Medical Board. You may also want to seek financial compensation for the injuries, pain, suffering and any other damages or losses you endured due to subpar medical care.