Nursing home employees can prevent residents from developing bedsores by frequently repositioning them, ensuring they have proper hydration and nutrition, caring properly for their skin, and using appropriate support devices.
Taking these steps can minimize the chances of nursing home residents developing bedsores. Failure to follow these steps may represent a form of neglect, resulting in severe injuries, pain, and suffering for the affected.
You can learn more about bedsore prevention from an Atlanta bedsores lawyer. A lawyer can also explain the steps your family can take if a loved one suffers from this condition due to mistreatment or abuse in a care facility.
How Bedsores Can Be Prevented in Nursing Home Residents
Employees in nursing homes can minimize the development of bedsores in residents by:
Repositioning Patients Frequently
Medical professionals recommend that employees in care facilities regularly reposition patients to prevent bedsores. For example, individuals may need to be moved every two hours if bedbound. Frequent changes in position will change the areas that have the most pressure on them.
Maintaining Proper Hydration and Nutrition
Proper nutrition and hydration play a key role in preventing bedsores. Nursing home residents must take in enough calories, vitamins, minerals, protein, and fluids to stay healthy and minimize the breakdown of tissues that can lead to bedsores.
Caring for Skin
Properly caring for the skin of nursing home residents can minimize the development of bedsores. Employees should regularly wash and pat dry skin using a gentle cleanser. Regular washing can reduce the resident’s exposure to urine, stool, and moisture.
After cleaning the skin, employees can use a moisture barrier cream to extend the protection. Cleaning can give employees a chance to carefully inspect a resident’s skin for signs of a bedsore, which can include:
- Swelling
- Sore areas
- Changes to the texture or color of the skin
- Draining of pus
Additionally, the skin may feel warmer or cooler to the touch as bedsores develop.
Using Support Surfaces
Nursing homes should utilize special mattresses and beds that provide adequate support to patients. These support surfaces can help minimize the pressure on patients, reducing the chances that they will develop this condition.
Nursing homes may also need to use special cushions for wheelchairs, reducing the pressure for patients who use these assistive devices.
Other helpful tools can include support bars. These bars can help patients move in bed while reducing the friction they face and limiting shear. You can learn more about how bedsores can be prevented in nursing home residents by reaching out to an attorney who understands this subject matter.
What if a Nursing Home Resident Develops a Bedsore?
Nursing home residents who develop bedsores require immediate medical care. Bedsores can result in serious complications, including:
- Joint and bone infections
- Infections of the skin and connected tissues (cellulitis)
- Sepsis
- Cancer
It’s crucial that nursing home residents get treatment for pressure ulcers. These ulcers worsen over time when they do not receive proper care and attention. Pressure sores are dangerous and can kill.
Does Neglect Cause Bedsores?
In many cases, nursing home residents develop bedsores because they experience neglect or even abuse at the hands of their caretakers. Nursing home staff may ignore residents, fail to provide the appropriate support surfaces, or ignore the nutritional needs of residents. All of these behaviors increase the odds of developing a bedsore.
In cases involving neglect and abuse, family members of the affected resident can take legal action against the responsible parties. Individuals in this situation can get help from an Atlanta nursing home abuse lawyer.
How a Lawyer Can Help if a Nursing Home Resident Develops a Bedsore
A lawyer can explain the steps individuals need to take to hold nursing home staff and leadership responsible for dangerous neglect and acts of abuse.
Filing a legal claim against the liable party may allow nursing home abuse victims and their families to get compensation for medical expenses, pain, and emotional suffering.
An attorney will need to gather evidence to show that a care facility employee failed to provide proper care or abused a resident. Depending on the situation, a lawyer may need to:
- Go over the resident’s medical records
- Review video captured in the nursing home
- Speak to witnesses
- Work with medical experts who understand bedsore development
A lawyer may help with an insurance claim against the nursing home or other responsible parties. In some cases, attorneys will proceed with a lawsuit to help clients get the funds they deserve.
Talk to Us About Bedsores and Nursing Home Residents
So, how can bedsores be prevented in nursing home residents? Caregivers can prevent bedsores by regularly repositioning residents, caring for their skin, using appropriate support devices, and providing proper nutrition and hydration to residents.
On the other hand, neglect or abuse can directly result in bedsores. If you believe a family member developed this medical condition due to abuse or neglect, you can reach out to our team at Schenk Nursing Home Abuse Law for professional help building a legal claim.
We have years of experience and have recovered millions of dollars for clients and their families. We’re ready to help with your needs right now.