Bed Sores, Pressure Sores and Decubitus Ulcers Are Almost Always Avoidable says Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer Steven Peck

Written by Adam Peck Category: Nursing Homes January 23rd, 2013 2 min read

Concern has been raised about the frequency of bedsores – also known as pressures sores or decubitus ulcers – in hospitals all across the United States of America. They occur due to reduced blood supply in certain ‘pressure areas’ , such as the back of the head, buttocks and heels, when the patient is left to lie in one position for too long. The skin breaks down; sometimes the tissue underneath dies resulting in excruciating pain, immobility, infection risk and even death.

Bedsores are almost always avoidable. Proper nursing care – ensuring that there is a pressure-relieving mattress, monitoring and a regime for changing the patient’s position -should be routine, but sadly it is not.

Most bedsore claims are indefensible. Here are some examples:

A 57 year old man after major bowel surgery was returned to the ward and put on an ordinary mattress on an ordinary bed. Because his pain was controlled by an epidural anaesthetic, he was numb from his chest to his toes. His position was not changed until 36 hours later when sacral (at the bottom of his back) and heel pressure sores were found. The sacral ulcer became infected and had to be operated on.

A mother had an epidural for pain relief in labour. For over 5 ¼ hours she was left sitting in a recumbent position on damp bed sheets and was neither advised nor helped to change position. She suffered bed sores on her lower back, resulting in pain and scarring.

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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.