Bed Sores, Pressure Sores and Decubitus Ulcers Affect over One Million People in Long Term Care Facilities in the United States says California Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer Steven Peck

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Law January 26th, 2013 2 min read

Bedsores & pressure sores, or pressure ulcers also known as decubitus ulcers as they are medically termed, are thought to affect over one million patients annually in the United States of America.

Tens of thousands of people die annually because of bedsores or infected wounds costing billions of dollars in unnecessary health care costs.

Bedsores can develop in as little as four hours and even when they don’t kill, they can inflict terrible pain and rob thousands of patients of their mobility and independence.

Bedsores, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers are caused where a patient lies immobile for a period of time, unable to shift their weight or get up and move around. This places pressure on certain areas of the body – often the heel, back and elbows, reducing circulation and cutting the supply of oxygen and vital nutrients. The tissue begins to bruise, and if a patient is not moved or ‘turned’ it dies off. In severe cases, this can leave a gaping hole that is not only extremely painful and distressing, but can prove fatal.

The presence of any bedsore creates a major increase in the possibility of the death of the inflicted individual.

There are four grades or categories of bedsores / pressure ulcers:

Stage 1 – reddening or bruising of the skin;
Stage 2 – broken skin and shallow ulceration;
Stage 3 – large in appearance and deep ulceration
Stage 4 – deep ulceration revealing skin and muscle that has worn away, revealing bone and sometimes internal organs.

Don’t let your loved one be neglected and become another statistic. Watch what they are doing in these long term care facilities, ask questions, be an advocate for your elder or dependant adult.

Share it

Questions? Check with Peck Today

Blog Lead Form

Elder Abuse and Neglect in Assisted Living Facilities

Elopement in Nursing Homes

Assisted Living Abuse

Settlement Reached in Assisted Living Facility Death

Assisted Living Abuse and Neglect Attorneys

Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

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.