Standard of Care In A Skilled Nursing Facility Is That Bed Sores Should Not Develop Unless Medically Unavoidable

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

A decubitus ulcer/pressure sore is a bed sore caused by unrelieved pressure on the skin that comes from lying or sitting in the same position too long and is associated with pain.
Unfortunately, once a bedsore progresses to stage 3 and stage 4 and becomes infected, it is difficult to achieve healing and avoid painful and potentially fatal complications. These individuals may develop osteomyelitis (infection of the bone) and sepsis (blood infection) ultimately resulting in death indicates California Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Steven C. Peck.

The standard of care applicable to nursing homes requires the nursing home staff to ensure that a resident entering the facility without pressure ulcers does not develop them unless the resident’s clinical condition demonstrates that they were medically unavoidable. The nursing home staff must also ensure that a resident having pressure ulcers receives necessary and proper wound care treatment and services to promote healing, prevent infection and prevent new ulcers from developing. The nursing home staff must relieve pressure by turning and repositioning the resident at least every two hours while in bed and every hour while in a Geri-chair or wheelchair, maintain adequate nutrition and hydration, and prevent contractures of the extremities.

Nursing homes develop and implement internal policies and procedures pertaining to the prevention, care, treatment and monitoring of pressure sores /decubitus ulcers. In our experience litigating decubitus ulcer lawsuits, all too often these policies and procedures are not adhered to by the nursing home staff and elderly residents develop otherwise avoidable fatal bedsores says California Elder Abuse Attorney Steven C. Peck.

The failure of a nursing home to adhere to their own policies and procedures is important evidence that will be taken into consideration when the nursing home’s attorneys and in-house representatives evaluate the claim. This is also very powerful evidence that can be presented to the jury.

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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.