San Diego Bedsores/ Pressure Ulcers Attorney

Seeking Compensation for Neglect and Harm

Nursing home bedsores — also known as pressure sores, pressure ulcers, or decubitus ulcers — are caused by neglect. 

Pressure ulcers are caused by a lack of blood flow and oxygen to the skin, resulting from continuous pressure on a particular area of the body. They usually develop on areas with prominent bones beneath thin layers of skin, such as the coccyx, sacrum, lower back, and heels. The severity can range greatly, from mild bedsores appearing as just minor skin reddening, to severe bedsores appearing as deep wounds exposing muscle and bone.

Bedsores are very painful and uncomfortable, and your loved one should not have to suffer through them.  

Thus, if you believe an elderly loved one is suffering from a pressure ulcer, ​contact​ ​Joel R. Bryant by calling (619) 597-2577 today. You may have a case for nursing home neglect and should speak with a San Diego bed sores/ulcers attorney as soon as possible. We also serve clients in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California.

Can Bedsores Be Prevented in Elderly Care?

Bedsores or pressure ulcers are easily avoidable if the elder is cared for properly. They are caused by the pressure of the elder’s body pushing against the bed, wheelchair, or other furniture they are sitting or lying on for long periods of time (generally, two hours or more). Unfortunately, many elders are susceptible to pressure ulcers, as a majority of nursing home patients have severe physical limitations that inhibit them from moving around easily.

The primary thing that a nursing home care provider needs to do to keep an elder from getting a bedsore is rotate them to a different position about every two hours. In doing so, the area under pressure changes regularly, allowing for better blood flow to each region of the body and greatly reducing the chances of a pressure sore from developing.

No matter the severity, any development of a bedsore is a sure sign of neglect that should be addressed immediately. Nursing homes can even take steps to further reduce the risk for their most vulnerable patients developing bedsores by simply providing a specialty pressure relieving mattress or pad for the elder to lie or sit on. By doing so, pressure between the elder’s body and the bed, wheelchair, or furniture will be significantly reduced, lowering their risk of developing these painful and life-threatening sores.

What Are the Four Stages of Bedsores?

The four stages of pressure ulcers are progressively more serious. Each stage can quickly turn into the next if left untreated, so it is important to be able to recognize the signs, as described above, and quickly get medical attention for your loved one. 

Stage One

This is the least dangerous stage, but it can quickly become deadly if proper care is not immediately taken. 

Stage one can best be recognized by:

• Mild irritation and redness of the skin (the redness does not blanch)
• Skin temperature is warmer in the irritated area
• Skin may also be more firm or softer in the irritated area than the surrounding skin

If recognized quickly, stage one treatment is very simple, as that specific area simply needs pressure relief, and the skin can be washed gently with soap and water. However, even in stage one, it is always best to consult with a medical professional to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

Stage Two

This stage is much more painful and severe than stage one, as it is defined by the skin breaking open.

Signs of stage two bedsores include:

• Breaking open of the skin
• Blistering of the skin
• Open wounds that form ulcers

In each of these scenarios, the skin becomes very painful to the touch. Stage two is often treated by soaking the damaged skin in a saline solution. Unfortunately, the skin has already suffered irreversible damage, as the tissue has been starved of blood flow and other nutrients and has begun to die off. This skin is removed to allow the ulcer to be exposed to oxygen and heal itself. However, it can take weeks for the exposed ulcer to be sealed by the skin, as it takes longer for an elder’s body to repair itself.

Stage Three

This stage is defined by a much deeper wound than stage two; however, there appears to be no bone, tendon, or muscle involvement with the wound itself. 

Signs of stage three bedsores include:

• Wounds extending into deep layers of broken skin
• Deep, small, crater-like wounds that appear to have dead fatty tissue inside

Stage three pressure ulcers are very difficult to treat, especially if they occur somewhere that normally would be hard to keep pressure off of, such as the back. 

At this stage, bedsores can be treated with methods of debriding (removing the dead tissue to let the wound heal) that require surgery. After surgery, the wound is then covered to reduce the risk of infection.

Stage Four

Stage four bedsores represent the most severe and critical stage of pressure ulcers. The ulcer has extended even deeper at this stage, exposing underlying structures such as bones, tendons, or muscles.

Signs of stage four bedsores include:

• Extensive tissue damage, often exposing bones, tendons, or muscles.
• Large, deep craters in the skin with visible necrotic tissue.
• There is a high risk of infection due to the extensive exposure of underlying structures.

Stage four bedsores require intensive medical intervention and specialized care. Treatment may involve surgical procedures to remove necrotic tissue and repair underlying structures. Wound management techniques, such as vacuum-assisted closure therapy, may also facilitate healing and reduce the risk of complications.

Due to the severity of stage four bedsores, patients often face prolonged recovery times and an increased risk of complications such as sepsis. Timely intervention and comprehensive medical care are essential to prevent further deterioration and promote healing.