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Bedsores hurt. These painful wounds form when pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin for too long. Anyone with limited mobility can develop them, but that doesn’t mean they’re inevitable. Proper care prevents most pressure ulcers. When your loved one develops serious bedsores in a nursing home, you’re right to question the quality of care they’re receiving. Our friends at Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. discuss how these injuries usually stem from inadequate staffing, poor training, or basic care failures. Severe pressure ulcers while in a care facility warrant a closer look. A nursing home lawyer can help you figure out whether neglect caused the problem.
How Pressure Ulcers Develop
Sustained pressure on the bony parts of the body restricts blood circulation to the skin and tissue underneath. You’ll see bedsores most often in these areas:
- Heels and ankles
- Tailbone and lower back
- Shoulder blades
- Hips and sides of the knees
- Back of the head
The wounds get worse in stages. Stage 1 starts with reddened skin that won’t blanch when you press it. By Stage 4, the wound has eaten through skin and tissue deep enough to expose muscle or even bone. Advanced bedsores bring serious risks like infection, sepsis, and death. Most pressure ulcers don’t have to happen. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that proper care protocols prevent up to 95% of these wounds. That’s a staggering number when you think about it.
Why Bedsores Indicate Potential Neglect
Preventing pressure sores isn’t complicated. Staff need to reposition immobile residents every two hours. They need to keep skin clean and dry, make sure residents get adequate nutrition and hydration, and use pressure-relieving devices like specialized mattresses or cushions. These aren’t advanced medical procedures. They’re basic care standards. Stage 3 or Stage 4 pressure ulcers tell you those standards weren’t met. The wounds don’t show up overnight. They develop gradually, which means staff had multiple chances to step in and prevent the damage. When you see severe bedsores, you’re often looking at understaffing, inadequate training, or plain negligence.
Warning Signs Families Should Watch For
Pay attention during your visits. Look for changes in your loved one’s skin. Early-stage pressure ulcers might show up as persistent redness or warm patches that look discolored. If your family member complains about pain or discomfort where their body contacts the bed or wheelchair, don’t brush it off. Watch for other problems too. Soiled bedding or clothing that hasn’t been changed promptly is a red flag. So is finding your loved one in the same position every time you visit. Visible weight loss or dehydration signs matter. And if staff members get evasive about skin conditions or try to stop you from examining certain body areas, that’s a problem worth investigating.
When To Consider Legal Action
Not every bedsore means you have a lawsuit. But advanced pressure ulcers often deserve investigation. Georgia law sets specific care standards for nursing homes. When facilities fail to prevent foreseeable harm through adequate repositioning, hygiene, and monitoring, they can be held liable for the consequences. Document what you see. Take photographs if you can. Request copies of medical records and care plans. Write down conversations with staff about your loved one’s condition. You might need this information later if you decide to pursue a claim.
Medical Treatment And Long-Term Impact
Advanced bedsores need extensive medical care. Treatment can involve wound debridement, specialized dressings, antibiotics for infections, and sometimes surgery. Recovery takes months. Some wounds never fully heal. The pain alone diminishes the quality of life substantially, especially for elderly residents already managing other health problems. Physical suffering isn’t the only concern. Severe pressure ulcers can shorten life expectancy dramatically. When infections from deep wounds spread to the bloodstream or bone, they create complications that can kill.
Taking The Next Step
Your family member developed serious pressure sores in a nursing home. You don’t need to accept vague explanations that minimize what the facility did wrong. Georgia families have options when inadequate care causes preventable harm. Talk to a law firm that handles nursing home cases. Discuss what happened and whether the facility should be held accountable for failing to provide basic, dignified care.