Open Bed Sores, Pressure Sores and Decubitus Ulcers Provide the Perfect Way for Septic Infections

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

Many of our nursing home negligence and medical malpractice cases involve patients who may have developed a pressure sore only to be confronted with another medical problem- sepsis. Sepsis is a severe infection that effects the complete body. Due to the open wounds that accompany advanced pressure sores (also called bed sores, decubitus ulcers or pressure ulcers), provide the perfect entry way for infection to enter the body.

Sepsis is a deadly, yet surprisingly common medical condition. According to a recent sampling of hospital patients:

* Sepsis is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.
* 33% of people who contract sepsis will die from the disease
* Medical expenses to treat sepsis cost approximately $17 billion per year

A Long Term Facility in California recognized the substantial problems associated with sepsis and has begun to implement a prevention and treatment program. Believed to be the first of its kind, this California hospital used a scientific formula to detect warning signs that indicate a patient is at risk for contracting sepsis. The diagnostic program evaluates:

* changes in body temperature
* increases in heart rate
* changes in respiratory rate
* decreases in white blood cell count

After the early symptoms of sepsis are identified, the hospital is able to rapidly administer medical treatment and greatly improve the patients survival rate. In the first two months of its use, the hospital credits the new program with the early detection of sepsis in 60 patients and likely a substantial number of lives as well.

Hopefully this sepsis detection tool can be applied to patients in a nursing home setting as well. Too often the implementation of medical treatment for nursing home patients is delayed due to inadequate training of staff and insufficient medical equipment.

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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.