Understanding Bedsore Injuries and Their Impact. Bedsore Injury Lawyers in Cleveland

“Neglect is the silent killer in nursing homes. By some estimates, malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, and infection—caused by neglect—account for half of nursing home deaths and injuries.” — CBS News

Bedsore injuries are a major health concern for nursing home patients with limited mobility. Understanding how they develop, who is at risk, and what you can do to support your elderly loved one is a key first step to protecting them. Here’s what to know and how The Mellino Law Firm can help your family get justice after your loved one was harmed in a long-term care facility.

What Are Bedsores?

Bedsores are injuries to the skin and muscle that occur as a result of pressure on the same area of the body for an extended period of time. They typically develop in areas where the bone is close to the skin, like the heels, hips, back, and elbows and can range from mild to severe.

Read More
The 4 Stages of Bedsores & Pressure Ulcers

How Do Bedsores Occur?

The primary cause of bedsores is sustained pressure that restricts blood flow and causes tissue death. However, there are also contributing factors, like skin rubbing against fabric, moisture from incontinence or sweat, and inadequate nutrition or dehydration.

Who Is Most at Risk from Complications?

According to Science Daily, individuals at the highest risk of complications caused by bedsores, including hospital readmission and death, are those with:

1. Existing chronic conditions, such as
2. Congestive heart failure
3. Pulmonary disease
4. Cardiovascular disease
5. Diabetes
6. Obesity
7. Steroid use

Furthermore, nearly 5 percent of those patients developed a bedsore while in the hospital. Of the 3,000 patients who were admitted with a bedsore, 16.7 percent developed another one during their stay.
The Negative Impacts of Bedsore Injuries on Patients and Families

For patients, bedsores can be extremely painful and cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and serious infections. Healing from bedsores can take weeks or even months, putting many patients in the hospital for an extended time and increasing their need for ongoing home care. Patients may also experience a loss of independence and control over their lives and may feel embarrassed, anxious, or depressed about their condition.

Families often experience guilt or frustration when their loved one is suffering with pressure ulcers in a nursing home setting. Or, they may need to take on additional caregiving responsibilities that take them away from work and their own family’s needs. The cost of treating bedsores can also be high and put families under significant financial strain.

Bedsore Prevention and Staff Failures

“New research is suggesting that the battle against bedsores requires a team approach, enlisting everyone from nurses and nursing assistants to laundry workers, nutritionists, maintenance workers, and even in-house beauticians,” says the New York Times.

Yet, nursing home residents continue to die from the pressure ulcers across the nation. The Times’ reported this wouldn’t happen if staff members changed the patient’s position every couple of hours, kept the patient’s skin dry, fed the person well, and ensured that they did not become dehydrated. But many nursing homes say they’re understaffed and overworked.

This can cause a significant decline in the quality of patient care and with fewer staff members available, caregivers may struggle to bathe patients, administer medications, move them to the cafeteria for meals, and complete other basic but time-consuming tasks. Overworked staff members also tend to experience high levels of stress and burnout, further exacerbating the risk of neglect and healthcare errors.

Read More

Is The Weekend Effect A Real Phenomenon In Hospitals?

Contact Our Firm Today

If you or a loved one suffered bedsore injuries while being treated by medical professionals, you may be able to take legal action. Get in touch with The Mellino Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options with an experienced bedsore injury attorney in Cleveland. We also wrote the book on medical malpractice claims; request a free copy today.

Our Cleveland bedsore injury lawyers are prepared to fight for your rights, as well as and the justice your loved one deserves. Depending on the circumstances involved in your case, you may be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses and treatment, lost income and/or wages, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and more.

Call now at (440) 333-3800 or contact us online today to request a complimentary case evaluation.