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According to Section 483.25(c) of the Federal Code, a nursing home must ensure that a resident who enters a facility without pressure sores does not develop bedsores unless the individual’s clinical condition demonstrates that the bedsores were unavoidable.
Unavoidable means that the resident developed a bedsore even though the facility had evaluated the resident’s clinical condition and pressure ulcer risk factors, defined and implemented interventions that are consistent with the resident’s needs, and revised such approaches as appropriate.
Avoidable means that the resident developed a bedsore failed to take any of the actions described above. So, for example, the nursing home failed to conduct an assessment of the resident’s bedsore risk, called a Braden Scale. Or, if the nursing home failed to reposition a resident despite a doctor’s orders.
According to the National Quality Forum, a nationwide non-profit organization that promotes patient protections and quality healthcare, describes later stage bedsores as “Serious Reportable Events,” or SREs. An SRE is described as a “largely preventable” error that immediately be investigated by the nursing home provider to prevent worsening. Still, some medical care providers and non-profit organizations describe bedsores as “never events,” meaning the when a resident enters a nursing home without a bedsore, they should leave that nursing home without a bedsore.
The truth is, while some nursing home residents may be susceptible to bedsores, it is almost never the case that nothing can be done to prevent them. Assessment, prevention, and implementation is critical upon admission to a nursing home. Bedsores can develop in as little as 4-6 hours after introduction of pressure.
If your loved developed bed sores at a nursing home or assisted living facility, and you are wondering if it was avoidable, then please, feel free to call and speak to one of our experienced Georgia nursing home neglect lawyers today. Our consultations are always free.
