There Are Four Stages of Bed Sores, Pressure Sores and Decubitus Ulcers says Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer Steven Peck

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

There are four stages of bedsores according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP), and they vary in severity and depth says California Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer Steven Peck.

Stage one bedsores

are relatively minor because the skin remains intact. Characteristics include:

•Reddish color (in people with light skin color) that doesn’t lighten briefly when touched.
•Skin may be bluish or ashen (in people with dark skin color) or there may be no color change at all.
•The site could be painful.
•The site may be warm or cold, soft or hard.

Stage two bedsores

are a bit more serious. Skin is broken and the underlying tissue may be damaged or lost. Characteristics include:

•A shallow basin-shaped wound.
•May also appear initially as a blister that is either fluid filled, or has ruptured.

Stage three bedsores

are quite serious. A deep wound is present that is deep enough to expose some of the layer of fat that is found under the skin.

•The wound looks like a crater.
•Yellowish colored dead tissue may be visible at the bottom of the wound. This is called slough.
•The damage may begin to spread outward under the surface of the skin.

Stage four bedsores

are very serious and can have some dire consequences. The wound is very deep and could expose underlying muscle, tendon or even bone.

•The bottom of the wound likely contains slough and possibly dark, crusty dead tissue called eschar.
•The damage will extend beyond the wound under the healthy surface skin.

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.