Miami Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
When you trust a Miami nursing home to provide for the health and safety of residents, it is horrifying to find out that your loved one developed bedsores because of misconduct. Statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shed some light on the severity of the problem:
- Anywhere from 2% to 28% of residents in assisted living facilities have developed bedsores, also termed pressure ulcers.
- Individuals living in a nursing home for less than 12 months were more likely to develop these wounds than those with longer stays.
- Around 35% of individuals with severe pressure ulcers require special wound care services, often necessitating hospitalization.
With rare exceptions, bedsores are the result of negligence, so it is a comfort to know Florida laws protect victims of abuse and neglect at Miami nursing homes. Whether because of advanced age or other medical conditions, it is often the resident’s loved ones who need to speak up about bedsore concerns. Part of this duty depends on recognizing the severity of the ulcers, so keep the following information in mind about bedsore stages:
Bedsore Stages
These wounds are called pressure ulcers because they are the result of blood supply to the skin being cut off because of compression caused by gravity. In a nursing home, bedsores most often develop among residents in wheelchairs or who are not moved while remaining in bed. Medical professionals classify bedsores in similar fashion to burn injuries, so:
- Stage 1: There is slight redness and the wound feels warm, while the resident might experience burning or itching sensation.
- Stage 2: There may be an open bedsore or blister, and the skin around the affected area begins to discolor. The individual may be experiencing considerable pain, especially if infection has set in.
- Stage 3: The bedsore is beginning to penetrate into muscle and tendons, and infection is likely if it has not already developed. You might notice a dark, crater-like wound because of damage below the epidermis.
- Stage 4: The wound has caused considerable damage to a large swath of skin and penetrated into bones and joints. Infection may turn into sepsis and septic shock, both of which can be life-threatening.
Potential Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
A bedsore can develop in two to three hours if staff at the assisted living facility do not properly monitor and change residents’ positions. It is important for loved ones and family members to be vigilant about:
- Complaints of pain or discomfort;
- Redness on the heels of feet, shoulder blades, and the back of the head;
- Padding on the seats of wheelchairs;
- Proper hygiene, particularly keeping skin clean and dry; and,
- Fever, chills, or other signs of infection.
Consult With Our Miami Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys for Free
For more information about your rights and remedies, please contact Gerson & Schwartz, PA at (305) 371-6000 or via our website. We are happy to schedule a free consultation at our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach, FL.
