Medical Negligence– Pressure Sores

1. Medical Negligence– Pressure Sores

2. Pressure sores or decubitus ulcers occur when you lie or sit in one positjon without moving or changing the positjon for a long tjme. Patjents in hospitals, medical facilitjes, and specialized home-based nursing care are more susceptjble to pressure sores or bedsores. With good care, most bedsores can be avoided although not all. Victjms of bedsores resultjng from negligence, abuse, and mistreatment in a nursing facility can recover damages for their injuries–bedsores. The bereaved, including spouses, children, or grandchildren can also sue the negligent partjes and be compensated. Proving negligence isn’t easy and that’s why most people prefer consultjng a personal injury lawyer in Bakersfjeld. The work of a personal injury lawyer is to provide legal counsel and ensure justjce is served. What is a Bedsore? Bedsores are a sign of negligence in care facilitjes and ofuen occur in the bony parts of the body that are exposed to pressure for a long tjme. Although bedsores can occur in any part of the body, the following body parts are more vulnerable: ? Heels ? Butuocks ? Back ? Ankles ? Hips

3. Where are Bedsores Likely to Occur? Bedsores result from pressure exertjon on the skin for a long tjme and they can occur anywhere in the body, although the skin covering bony body parts, such as the hips, ankles, or the tailbone–is more susceptjble to bedsores. The good thing is that bedsores are treatable, but without prompt treatment, they can cause other complicatjons in the body, partjcularly when they get infected. Bedsores typically present in four ways, including: 1. The skin appears red or discolored but isn’t broken; 2. The skin appears to be fjlled with pus and is broken; 3. The sore has gone past the epidermis and extended to the fat tjssue; 4. A deep sore that reaches body muscles, ligaments, and bones. Risk Factors of Bedsores Bedsores result from the caregiver negligence, but they’re triggered by: 1. Frictjon Pressure is exerted when the skin and beddings rub, damaging skin cells and eventually causing wounds. Blood-deprived body parts do not get nutrients and oxygen resultjng in the death of skin cells around such areas.

4. Caregivers must ensure that patjents under their care must never experience pressure sores because they will be liable for medical negligence. 2. Body Fat Muscles and body fat pad the fmesh body parts to prevent injury when they come into contact with bones. 3. Shearing of the Skin Skin shearing occurs when two body organs, the skin, and bones, in this case, move in difgerent directjons, mostly when moving a patjent. 4. Malnutritjon and Dehydratjon The skin becomes fragile when it lacks nutrients and moisture, which causes bedsores, partjcularly in senior citjzens. 5. Repositjoning Issues Blood fmow is limited or entjrely cut ofg when pressure is exerted on the skin for long. Caregivers should ensure that people with mobility challenges are repositjoned regularly to relieve pressure.

5. 6. Unfriendly Conditjons Tight clothes, tjght shoes, and beddings that are not designed for pressure distributjon cause frictjon and bedsores in the long term. 7. Sensitjvity-Related Illnesses People with blood and nerve-related medical conditjons are more vulnerable to bedsores because the functjoning of their sensory nerves is limited– meaning they can’t feel pain even when they’re not repositjoned. Preventjng Pressure Sores Bedsores can be prevented by: ?Monitoring patjents for developing wounds; ?Repositjoning patjents to ofg-load pressure; ?Using maturesses designed for ofg-loading pressure: ?Ensuring patjents with mobility issues are always kept dry and clean to prevent the formatjon of wounds; ?Treatjng blood and sensory-related illnesses to enhance pain detectjon ?Monitoring caregivers for any signs of medical negligence; ?Ensuring patjents are well nourished.

6. Liability of Care Facilitjes for Bedsores So, who bears liability for bedsores in medical care facilitjes? Personal injury law states that patjents who are admitued with bedsores should be treated. Patjents who were admitued without bedsores should leave the medical facility in the same conditjon. Otherwise, a medical care facility is liable for the bedsores if the two rules are broken and a patjent sufgers bedsores. The primary facility will be liable because they’re responsible for the actjons of their employees, according to the principle of vicarious liability. What to do afuer Detectjng Bedsores? Caregivers, including hospitals, nursing homes, and medics owe patjents a degree of care that matches their training and expertjse. Negligent medics whose acts expose patjents to bedsores a guilty of medical malpractjce or negligence and should compensate the patjent. Victjms of bedsores arising from medical negligence should consult not only a personal injury atuorney but a personal injury lawyer who specializes in bed sores. The lawyer will assess your situatjon and gather evidence to build a strong case. You or a loved one should never experience bedsores and if it ever happens, ensure the negligent party is held accountable.

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