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Author Archives: Adam Peck

 About Adam Peck

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.
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Nursing Home Infections: E. Coli and Bed Sores

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Nursing Home Infections: E. Coli and Bed Sores

Bed sores are skin wounds, also called pressure ulcers, that develop when an immobile person is left in one position for too long. The pressure placed on the skin can cause a skin wound to develop. If the pressure isn’t relieved and the patient not properly cared for, gaping skin wounds that go down to the bone could become infected with bacteria.

Unfortunately, one of the bacteria that a patient with bedsores can become infected with is E. coli. E. coli stands for, Escherichia coli, and several strains of this bacteria, including E. coli O157:H7, can result in major health issues such as severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.

E. Coli and Bed Sore Patients

E. coli infections normally develop due to exposure to contaminated water or contaminated food. However, patients who have large open skin wounds as a result of bed sores can be exposed to E. coli through those sores.  This is especially true if a patient’s bed sores are not treated. If the bedclothes are not kept clean, if proper hygiene practices are not followed for the patient, or if the bandages on the bed sores are not regularly changed.

While healthy people can fight off the complications of E. coli in most cases, seniors who are sick and who have compromised immune systems cannot generally get the bacteria under control in their bodies.   When a patient cannot fight off the E. Coli bacteria, a life-threatening type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome can develop.

E. Coli and Nursing Home Neglect

Patients in nursing homes who are under the care of nursing home staff should never develop these types of problems if they are properly cared for. Bed sores can be prevented by simply providing basic care to the patient. A bedridden or wheelchair bound patient should have his positioned changed approximately once every two hours or so. Special mattresses can be used to prevent bed sores and other steps can be taken to help ensure that patients don’t develop these pressure ulcers in the first place.

If a patient does develop pressure sores, preventing infection requires providing proper care and the patient deserves to get this care from nursing home staff.

When a nursing home falls short in its obligation to its patients, a legal claim can be made for nursing home abuse and neglect. Nursing homes can be liable for injuries and damage that are caused by the negligence of their staff, and for those that are caused by the nursing home’s own failure such as under staffing or not having policies in place to protect the health and safety of residents.  A nursing home abuse and neglect attorney can help those who have developed E. coli in a nursing home setting to recover compensation for their losses.

– from Steven Peck, Senior Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Los Angeles at Peck Law Group

Documentation of Bed Sores

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Documentation of Bed Sores

Bed sores can develop in patients who do not get the proper medical care and treatment while they are bedridden or wheelchair bound and unable to change their position.  Bed sores are a common result of nursing home neglect, as a patient may develop bed sores if s/he is not turned frequently, if s/he is malnourished, and if proper hygiene practices are not followed.

Because bed sores are a sign of nursing home neglect, patients who develop bed sores or family members of patients who are affected generally may take legal action against the nursing home to obtain compensation for losses. To do so, however, there must be documentation of the bed sores.

Documenting Bed Sores

A patient who develops bed sores should be examined by an experienced physician who can document his or her medical condition and who would be willing to provide this information in support of a nursing home abuse or neglect case. Typically, this means the patient should be examined by a doctor or healthcare provider not associated with the nursing home where the patient was receiving care.

The doctor who examines the patient with bed sores should take note of many different things to ensure there is sufficient information about the health issues the patient was having. For example, the following information should be included in a report on the bed sores:

  • The stage of the bed sores: Bed sores can progress through four stages, with Stage IV the most serious and potentially fatal.
  • The size of the bed sores, including the length, width and depth of the sores.
  • A description of any undermining tunneling or sinus tracking. Tunneling refers to tissue destruction underneath intact skin, while sinus tracking refers to the pathway of dead space extending in any direction from the wound.
  • A description of any discharge that is coming from the bed sores.
  • A description of the wound bed of the tissue in the wound. For example, is there necrotic tissue, granulated tissue or has epithelialization occurred.
  • A description of the edges of the wound and of what surrounding tissue looks like.
  • A description of rashes, warmth or pain.
  • Information about underlying medical problems or conditions that affect healing.

Obtaining all of this information is very important because a patient must prove the extent of harm in a nursing home abuse or neglect case. When an injured patient or family member takes legal action against the nursing home, the patient must demonstrate that the home was negligent and must show how badly this lack of care damaged him. The more evidence there is of the serious medical harm and the more information there is about the pain endured, the stronger the case. Having photographs taken of the bed sores is also invaluable to your case.

A nursing home abuse or neglect attorney will advise you on the types of evidence and documentation you need, so be sure to contact an attorney right away if you or a loved one has developed bed sores due to nursing home neglect.

Types of Bed Sores

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nursing home petitions

Bed sores or pressure ulcers are skin wounds that develop as a result of too much pressure being placed on the skin and tissues. The pressure is placed on the skin and tissue because a patient is left immobile in bed or in a wheelchair, unable to shift or move in order to escape the bones and body pressing down on the mattress or wheelchair seat.

Bed sores can develop almost anywhere on the body but are most common in areas where your bones are very close to your skin, such as in your ankles, elbows, back, heels or hips.  Regardless of what body part they affect, there are different types of bed sores with differing levels of risk to patients.

pressure sores and bed soresTypes of Bed Sores

Bed sores can develop through different stages if not properly treated. Stage I bed sores are much less of a health risk than Stage IV bed sores and if bed sores progress to advanced stages, this is also a clear sign that the patient has not been properly cared for by the nursing home or other caregiver.  As such, it is important to understand what type of bed sores you or a family member have if you wish to pursue a claim for nursing home abuse or neglect.

The different types of bed sores include:

  • Stage I bed sores: This is the earliest stage of bed sores and is the least serious type. The patient may experience pain and the skin will be red at the bed sore site, but there are no open wounds at this stage.
  • Stage II bed sores: This is the second stage of bed sores, and this type of bed sore has developed into an open wound. The wound that forms is also called a pressure ulcer and is an area of broken skin that is generally very painful to the patient. Stage II bed sores can look as though they are blisters or even shallow craters in the skin.
  • Stage III bed sores: This is the third type of bed sore and at this point, the damage extends to the tissue below the skin.  This pressure sore will look like a crater and you might see some fat in the crater.
  • Stage IV bed sores: These are the most serious type of bed sores. The pressure ulcer will reach deep into the tissue, tendons, muscles and even to the bone. Serious complications can result from this type of bed sore.

If a patient has developed any type of bed sores, but especially Stage II, Stage III or Stage IV bed sores, this is a clear sign that the nursing home or caregiver has not provided the appropriate care and treatment to the patient.  A nursing home abuse attorney should be consulted so you can learn about your legal rights.

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