Bedsores – Elder Abuse

Bedsores – Decubitus Ulcers

Bedsores, also called pressure sores or decubitus ulcers. They can develop on the body where the skin overlaps bony areas such as the lower spine and tailbone. The causal mechanism is when body pressure is asserted upon the skin, and the underlying skin is pressed against the bone. 

Elderly People Are Most Affected 

The patient population most prone to this condition is the infirm and people over 70, especially those who are physically limited to sitting or lying in a single position for extended periods.

This is why caretakers must examine the entire body, especially the lower back and tailbone region, every time this patient population changes or bathes.

Need For Early Detection

The key to treating a developing bedsore is early detection, immediate wound care, and ensuring the caregiver regularly repositions the patient to alleviate pressure on the sore. 

Special mattresses can also be purchased for people with bedsores or those at high risk for developing bedsores. These float-based mattresses can be bought from most medical equipment suppliers.

The Clinical Stages of A Bedsore

Bedsores are often degenerative conditions. This means that if left without treatment, they can get worse at an accelerated rate. It is not unusual to see a rapid deterioration of a sore in as little as 48 hours.

Bedsores Are Medically Ranked Into Four Stages

The first stage is the most benign, and the fourth stage is the most severe. At stage four, the skin and subcutaneous tissue beneath the skin can be so damaged the wound exposes the ligament, muscle, and bone.

Stage One Bedsore

This is the most peaceful state in which the skin evidences some faint discoloration, usually redness or pinkish color. This stage is also associated with tenderness, irritation, and itching in and around the sore.

Stage Two Bedsore

This is when the skin begins to open and blister. At this point, the sore is susceptible to further deterioration, including infection.

Stage Three Bedsore

The bedsore is now considered a fully “opened wound.” There is a cratering contour or slope to the wound, which exposes the inner tissue of the skin. 

This is a dangerous stage because the sores’ progression downward can be pretty rapid, and the chance of infection is high. 

In many states, a Board & Care or Assisted Living Facility is legally prohibited from keeping a guest with a stage three sore since the wound requires immediate and ongoing medical treatment.

A wound such as this can be challenging to distinguish between stages three or four. That is because the wound is filled with necrotic tissue, commonly known as “puss,” brought on by infection and which will likely require removal by a physician or wound care specialist. Once the wound is antiseptically cleaned, the damage can be viewed clearly, and the doctor can determine the actual stage of the bedsore. If the wound is at stage three or four, the person must be treated immediately and admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

Stage Four Bedsore 

This stage is difficult. The wound is now large and can be so deep it reveals the interior tissue, ligament, muscle, and bone. The damage is often very bloody and will let off a foul odor. 

Wounds such as these can result in Sepsis, which means the infection has begun to travel through the bloodstream and, if not eradicated, will infect different parts of the body. Sepsis can often be fatal, especially in an older adult.

Bedsores Often Indicate Elder Abuse

Conduct by the caregiver that consciously and knowingly places economic gain before over patient safety. In most states, the development of bedsores is evidence of elder abuse. This is a form of aggravated neglect and, in most states, is considered a form of elder abuse. 

This can be legally established by showing the caregiver acted with a conscious disregard towards the safety and welfare of the elder. For this to legally qualify as Elder Abuse, the evidence must demonstrate more than negligence or carelessness.

Elder abuse must be distinguished from medical malpractice, usually characterized by negligence rather than intentional wrongdoing. States like California still impose draconian restrictions on medical negligence cases (referred to as MICRA laws) by statutorily limiting the amount of damage a patient may legally recover in cases of medical malpractice.

Bedsores Require Immediate Attention

Finally, the best advice is for the patient to contact the doctor and demand that the sore be examined and staged. Those who work at assisted living facilities are not medically trained and are prohibited by law from performing medical wound care.

Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one have specific questions or require additional information about bedsores and your legal rights, consult a verified Personal Injury Lawyer as soon as possible.