When you leave a loved one in the care of a nursing facility, you expect them to receive the best possible attention and consideration possible. Unfortunately, abusive individuals often seek employment at such locations due to the abundance of vulnerable people within. On top of that, many facilities are overworked and understaffed.
Because of that, residents may suffer from negligence, which classifies as a form of abuse. One potential sign of negligence is the formation of pressure ulcers.
Defining bedsores
Mayo Clinic examines pressure ulcers, otherwise known by the common name of bedsores. Pressure ulcers are lesions on the skin that can vary from the size of a dime to the size of a silver dollar or even larger. These sores will develop over days or even within a few hours, appearing when a person has prolonged contact with a hard surface without moving.
Examples of an action that may cause pressure ulcers include a victim being left in a wheelchair for hours, or someone who is bedridden lying in the same position for an entire day. This is why nursing home negligence can lead to pressure ulcers, as the victim may be left alone in a room or on their own for hours.
Pressure ulcers will often occur where the skin is thinnest and where the point of contact happens between the body and the external object. This often includes the hips, base of the spine, elbows and heels.
How serious are they?
In most cases, pressure ulcers are minor inconveniences that treatment can take care of. However, some pressure ulcers do not heal properly or fully. Others may result in complications like gangrene or even blood poisoning. Thus, immediate treatment is always crucial.