Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, is a lesion caused by unrelieved, consistent pressure that results in damage to the underlying tissue.
Essentially, the bedsore occurs if pressure to a particular point of the body has impaired circulation to the underlying tissue. Without appropriate bloodflow, muscles do not receive oxygen and nutrients. Tissue and muscle deprived of blood begin to decay and die. Tissue that is closest to the bone generally undergoes this necrosis first, then travels towards the skin. As bedsores worsen, the skin opens up, and the sore become larger and deeper. The worst bedsores can be so deep that bone is exposed.
As you can imagine, the wound site contains thousands of bacteria. The bedsore may become infected when the bacteria enters the tissue and then body.
Common complications due to infection include the following:
Cellulitis: This is a bacterial infection of the soft tissue around the wound. Cellulitis appears as a red area and may feel hot and tender to the touch. This infection is dangerous because it spreads quickly, including to the lymph nodes and bloodstream.
Osteomyelitis: This is an infection of the bone. Osteomyelitis can develop quickly, often within a week. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of range of motion, and swelling.
Septic Arthritis: This is an infection of the joint. Septic arthritis may result in intense joint pain, fatigue, weakness, swelling, and fever.
Sepsis or Bacteremia: This is an infection of the blood. Sepsis and severe sepsis, also called septic shock, may be very deadly. With sepsis, blood flow to organs is damaged. The infection may also cause blood clots that lead to organ failure. This is why sepsis must be identified and treated quickly. The mortality rate for septic shock is almost fifty percent.
If your loved died of infection after developing bedsores at a nursing home and you are wondering if you have a claim, then please, feel free to call and speak to one of our experienced Georgia nursing home neglect lawyers today. Our consultations are always free. If you would like more information about this topic, be sure to click on our other videos, or better yet, click the subscribe button to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Thank you.
