Involuntary Weight Loss and Dehydration Cause Bed Sores, Pressure Sores, and Decubitus Ulcers To Resident In Long Term Care Facilities

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Law January 26th, 2013 3 min read

Involuntary weight loss and dehydration, among other risk factors, are associated with pressure ulcer development among residents in long-term medical care facilities, according to the National Pressure Ulcer Long-Term Care Study (NPULS). Pressure ulcers have a major impact on the care and costs associated with residents receiving long-term care.

According to the study, 2 nutrition-related risk factors are key points in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. Involuntary weight loss was associated with an increased risk of 74%, and dehydration was associated with an increased risk of 42%. In addition, the data identify pressure relief management, incontinence management, and missing diet information on medical records as other primary considerations.

Many residents in long-term care facilities, home care patients, and elderly patients experience involuntary weight loss. Studies have demonstrated that up to 85% of residents in nursing homes are malnourished and prone to significant weight loss and severe complications, which include Bed Sores, Pressure Sores also known as Decubitus Ulcers.

Data was collected by medical teams for 12 weeks and covered more than 500 variables, including medications, pressure management, nutritional status and interventions, incontinence treatments, and the routine practices of care team members. The study was conducted in 109 facilities and included 2490 residents. The average age of residents was 79.8 years, and all had been receiving long-term care for at least 14 days.

The data showed that risk for the development of Bed Sores, Pressure Sores and Decubitus Ulcers is also associated with severity of illness, incontinence and catheter use, history of pressure ulcers, diabetes, being male, and dependency in more than 7 activities of daily living. In addition, a higher staff-to-resident ratio was associated with a lower risk of Bed Sore, Pressure Sore and Decubitus Ulcer development.

“These data are very important given the aging population and increasing numbers of residents requiring long-term care,” .”Anyone who considers placing a family member in long-term care should know about prevention and treatment of Bed Sores, Pressure Sores and Decubitus Ulcers”, says California Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Steven C. Peck.

Bed Sores, Pressure Sores and Decubitus Ulcers are one of the top 5 issues facing long-term care facilities. More than 1.8 million people develop pressure ulcers each year. These potentially devastating ulcers cost an estimated $1.3 billion annually in the United States and can expose facilities to litigation.

Bed Sores, Pressure Sores and Decubitus Ulcers are lesions caused by unrelieved pressure on the skin that result in damage to underlying tissue. In their most severe stage, they involve full-thickness skin loss with extensive destruction and damage to muscle, bone, or supporting structures and can be associated with increased morbidity.

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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.