Bed Sores in Arizona Nursing Homes

The occurrence of bed sores or pressure sores in a nursing home can trigger investigations of negligence and nursing home abuse. If your friend or relative is suffering from recurring bedsores or pressure sores that are not being treated or bed sores that have progressed to a serious stage, contact our  Arizona Nursing Home Law Firm for a free consultation. 

When bed sores are left untreated, they can have serious and even life-threatening complications, including skin and bone infections, blood poisoning (septicemia), and consequently, death .  Bed sores, also known as decubitus ulcers, are localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue and usually occur over a bony prominence, such as areas with little body fat to cover them. This includes the hips, heels, shoulder blades, buttocks and the small of the back. 

Pressure sores occur when a person is immobile for a long period of time, such as being confined to a bed, or sitting in a chair or wheelchair, without pressure being relieved. For patients who are in bed and unable to move, bed sores can begin to form after as little as 1-2 hours.  Arizona nursing home residents who are left to sit in chairs and are unable to move can get pressure ulcers in even less time because the force on the skin is greater. When the skin is not kept free of contact with urine, stool, or perspiration, the risk of developing a pressure ulcer also increases as these sources of moisture can irritate the skin, making it susceptible to decubitus ulcers. 

When investigating Arizona nursing home negligence cases,  the attorneys at our  Arizona Elder Abuse Law Firm carefully scrutinize the nursing home's history of federal and state violations to determine if there is a pattern of neglect.  Our attorneys will also investigate possible staffing and training deficiencies, which are often a primary cause of Arizona nursing home injuries.

Bed sores develop in specific stages as outlined by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.

Stage I

While unbroken, the top layers of skin show damage. The skin may appear red but when touched does not turn white. The skin remains red after the pressure is relieved. Darker skinned individuals may show skin discoloration. Other signs may include pain in the area, firmness of the skin, being warm to the touch or other changes in skin texture. A pressure sore may appear as a shallow open ulcer with a red pink wound bed or as an intact or open/ruptured blister.

Stage II

The damaged skin area may appear as a superficial abrasion, blister or shallow crater with a red pink wound bed.

Stage III

Damage appears on the skin, in subsequent tissue and muscle. The decubitus ulcer now appears to be a deep crater. Bone, tendon or muscles are not exposed.

Stage IV

Tissue loss is evident with exposed bone, tendon or muscle. Extensive damage to soft tissue, muscle, bone or tendons is evident.

Research indicates that 95% of all pressure sores are preventable, yet the estimated costs of treating all pressure ulcers throughout the US range up to $11 billion annually. Bedsores can be prevented by using support surfaces, frequent repositioning of the patient, massage, optimizing the nutritional status of the patient, keeping the skin clean, moisturizing dry skin, and providing opportunities for movement and exercise. It is also important that nursing home facilities ensure they have sufficient staffing levels and that staff is well trained in pressure sore prevention.

The skilled and reputable  Nursing Home Abuse attorney  is dedicated to pursuing justice for those injured by nursing home abuse, neglect and medical misconduct and is committed to helping prevent nursing home abuse and neglect by diligently defending the rights of nursing home residents. Contact our Arizona nursing home abuse law firm for a free consultation. If we believe you have grounds for a personal injury case, we will only receive compensation if an award for damages or restitution is rendered.

Our Arizona Nursing Home Abuse law firm represents victims of nursing home abuse and medical malpractice in  Maricopa County, Phoenix,  Mesa,  Glendale,  Peoria,  Chandler,  Sun City, Sun City West,  Fountain Hills,  Surprise,  Gilbert, as well as nursing home neglect in  El Mirage, Avondale,  Tempe, and nursing home abuse in Scottsdale,  Tucson,  Pima County,  Yuma,  Yuma County,  Flagstaff and  Coconino County.