The best treatment for bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, is preventing them from happening altogether. Research indicates that this goal is possible. Caretakers are wise to educate themselves in recognizing, treating, monitoring, and preventing them for better care toward the patient or family member.
There are cases where nursing home abuse and neglect may play a role in bedsore injuries. Compensation is available for the financial, emotional, and mental losses of the victim and his or her loved ones.
However, there are time limits to file a bedsore injury claim. Talking to a nursing home injury lawyer is a straightforward approach to help you understand your legal options.
Recognizing Bedsore Formation Is the First Step
Sometimes, people mistake bedsores for bruises or abrasions in their early stages. Later stage bedsores are easy to identify since the skin breaks and craters form to expose fat, muscle, or bone tissue. However, the earlier they are caught, the more effective non-invasive treatments are. That is the most effective treatment for bedsores.
These are a few ways that you or nursing home staff members can recognize bedsore that is beginning to develop:
- Appearance: The early signs of bedsores appear as discolored skin with a purplish, bluish, or shiny appearance. Tissue damage already occurs at this stage.
- Pressure tests: Applied pressure to the affected area should turn the skin white. After a few seconds, remove the weight. If it is bedsore, the region remains white due to a constriction in blood flow.
- Torn skin: Small open wounds that contain blood and pus are a significant cause for concern. They should not be written off as minor since subdermal damage is occurring at this point.
Once you recognize them, you can effectively begin the treatment for bedsores to mitigate the development and allow the healing process to begin.
Medically Recommended Treatments for Bedsores
No matter what stage the bedsore development is, treating them is a challenge. Bedsores generally present as open wounds and take significant time to heal.
Older adults have a lower cell repair rate, making them even more difficult to treat. With proper treatment for bedsores, they can heal in a matter of a few weeks.
Here are the recommended treatments for bedsores:
- Immediately remove the source of pressure
- Clean and dress the wound
- Keep the area clean and dry
- Surgically room dead tissue
- Use antibiotic cream with every dressing change
- Negative pressure therapy
While the above list is general, there are be other forms of therapy that the patient’s doctor may recommend based on his or her age, overall health, and lifestyle factors.
Diagnosing and treating bedsores is only part of the equation. Preventing them is also an effective treatment in its own right.
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How To Prevent Bedsores in Nursing Homes
Bedsores are so prevalent in nursing homes that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) required them to start tracking incidents in 2017. Nursing homes that fail to meet the standards are fined.
As a result, more attention is being given in this area than ever before because the consequences of negligence are so high.
These are the recommended options for preventing bedsores in nursing homes:
- Offering regular exercise
- Checking the skin often
- Using low-pressure materials
- Keeping the skin dry and clean
- Providing a healthful diet
- Managing other health conditions
- Repositioning the patient frequently
- Taking care during bed transfers
While bedsores do not necessarily indicate that abuse or neglect is occurring, you may discover that this is the case for your family member. Investigate the issues surrounding his or her bedsore injuries as soon as possible to begin the treatment of bedsores and prevention options.
Financial Compensation Is Available for Bedsore Injuries
Compensation for bedsore injuries is available to victims and their family members. Depending upon your circumstances and losses, you can file a claim for medical costs, pain and suffering, relocation costs, treatment of bedsore injuries, mental anguish, or loss of life in wrongful death matters.
Estimating your monetary award with a nursing home injury lawyer will help you understand what you may be able to receive through a settlement negotiation or civil lawsuit award. There is a limited time to act on your loved one’s bedsore injuries.
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Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Before the Statute of Limitations Deadline
The statute of limitations is a limit imposed by state laws. Depending upon your local rules and circumstances, the window of time varies greatly.
Speaking with a nursing home injury lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will help you understand your options for restitution over a free consultation. Our legal team members are available to discuss your case by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 842-6336. We do not shy away from tough cases, and we work on a contingency-fee-basis, so you do not pay unless we win.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form