How Do Bed Sores Develop in Nursing Homes?

It is a sad fact but one in ten nursing home residents will develop bed sores at some point, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently, there are one million people living in nursing homes in the United States and with this number expected to double by 2050, bed sore infections are going to become more common. Not only are bed sores very painful, but they can also result in sepsis, amputation, and even wrongful death. Below, our Tampa bed sore lawyer outlines the most common causes of this type of injury.

Pressure 

Bed sores are also known as pressure wounds because they are most likely to occur when a part of the body is placed under pressure for a significant period of time. The pressure does not have to be significant, either. Simply sitting in a wheelchair for too long or being bedridden is enough for bed sores to develop.

Dehydration 

Bed sore infections and dehydration are closely linked in nursing home facilities. Women aged 80 years and older are particularly susceptible to suffering from dehydration. Dehydration interferes with cell metabolism and wound healing, which is why it is a contributing factor to bed sores.

Malnutrition

 When a person does not obtain the nutrients and vitamins the body needs through a balanced diet, it weakens the body’s protective skin layer. Malnutrition can also interfere with the body’s ability to fight infection.

Obesity 

Obesity can also contribute to the development of bed sores. People who are obese carry excessive weight and this can place even more pressure on areas of the body that have reduced blood flow. As such, this can result in bed sores.

Diabetes 

People with diabetes are at a much higher risk of developing bed sores after hospital stays and certain surgeries. If your family member suffers from diabetes, they are 1.5 times more likely to develop bed sores than a non-diabetic person who has the same type of surgery.

Urinary Incontinence 

People in nursing homes often suffer from incontinence, and this can expose the skin to certain conditions that make infection a much greater possibility. After repeated or prolonged exposure to urine, skin becomes much more sensitive, which can result in bed sores.

Advanced Age 

People who are aged 70 or older are at a greater risk of suffering from bed sores. This is due to many factors, including lower sensory perception, decreased mobility, and a skin barrier that is much more fragile.

Our Bed Sore Attorney in Tampa Can Help with Your Case 

Regardless of the cause of your loved one’s bed sores, there is a good chance that they could have been prevented if your loved one received the proper care they needed. At Kohn Law, our Tampa bed sore attorney can review the facts of your case, determine if another person’s negligence is to blame, and help your family obtain a full and fair settlement. Call us today at 813-428-8504 or chat with us online to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help you need.

Source:

nursing.duke.edu/news/looking-beneath-skin-prevent-nursing-home-pressure-ulcers#:~:text=The CDC also reports that,serious infection and even death.