West Palm Beach Nursing Home Bedsores
A bedsore, which is also known as a pressure ulcer, is an injury to the skin and the underlying tissue that is the result of prolonged pressure on the skin. A bedsore can develop on any area of the body but are more common on the bony areas of the body such as the hips, tailbone, along with the spine, as well as the heels and ankles.
Anyone may develop a bedsore, however, for nursing home residents developing a bedsore is often an example of nursing home abuse, neglect, or even medical malpractice. Bedsores are more than just an inconvenience, but a bedsore can cause serious health problems such as infections.
Unfortunately, nursing home residents in West Palm Beach are at a higher risk of developing bed sores as compared to the rest of the general population because of the extended periods of time residents stay in bed.
If you or someone you love has developed West Palm Beach bedsores while under the care of a nursing home facility, contact a lawyer today to discuss your case. A skilled attorney can advocate for you.
Risk Factors for Nursing Home Residents
West Palm Beach bedsores are unfortunately common amongst nursing home residents and have been cited as a cause of infection and even death. Some of the most common risk factors a West Palm Beach nursing home bedsore lawyer sees include:
- Immobile residents – Nursing home residents who are unable to move on their own due to injury, illness, or sedation are at risk of developing a bedsore
- Poor circulation – Poor circulation caused by diabetes, vascular disease, or because of smoking can contribute to a nursing home resident developing a bedsore
- Poor diet – Nursing home residents who do not receive the proper nutrients have a higher risk of developing a bedsore
- Low body fat – having a low amount of body fat or a low body mass index may also contribute to developing a bedsore
Nursing homes have a duty to provide the best care possible for their residents. This means that nursing home staff should be aware of these risk factors and should conduct regular examinations for their residents to determine if they are at risk for developing a bedsore, particularly where they know the resident is unable to move on their own. If they are not doing so, a nursing home attorney can attempt to hold them accountable for their negligence.
Preventing Bedsores
West Palm Beach bedsores are a preventable condition, provided that family members and staff are diligent. In order to prevent bedsore staff should ensure that residents who are not able to move on their own are regularly moved, even a slight shift in weight can be enough to prevent bedsores.
Florida’s laws governing nursing homes provide that nursing home residents have, “the right to receive adequate and appropriate health care and protective and support services…” Florida Statute 4.0022(l).
In addition, nursing home staff are expected to follow established and recognized practice standards, and when it comes to bedsores this means not only being able to identify when a resident may be at risk but also means taking proactive steps to ensure that the resident does not develop a bedsore.
When nursing home staff fail to account for their residents and their faculties, this can result in a resident developing a bedsore and can lead to further complications including infections, fever, and in some extreme cases even death. In the event of a death due to bedsores, a West Palm Beach nursing home bedsores lawyer can help individuals pursue a wrongful death case.
Talking to a West Palm Beach Nursing Home Bedsore Attorney
If you or a loved one have developed a bedsore while under the care of a nursing home you may have questions and concerns about your loved one’s care. While a bedsore can happen to anyone, it is important to explore the cause of a bedsore to determine if a nursing home resident is being exposed to abuse or neglect.West Palm Beach bedsores are often an overt sign of nursing home abuse and neglect.
A dedicated and experienced nursing home bedsores lawyer can help investigate the underlying causes of the bedsores and help ensure that your loved one is receiving the proper care and treatment.
