Poor Treatment at Nursing Homes - A Look at Bedsores

Residents in nursing homes are sometimes not given the best care that they deserve, and one of the many consequences of that neglect can be the development of pressure ulcers, or bed sores. If left untreated, bed sores can worsen quickly and cause serious problems like infection, gangrene, and sepsis. Because the treatment is so essential to a person's health and wellness, it is important for bed sores to be properly cared for.

How Can You Prevent Bed Sores?

In the case of bed sores, the best offense is a good defense, so to speak. In other words, it's better to work on preventing them from forming in the first place. That means that if a person is bedridden or has to use a wheelchair, there are steps that need to be taken in order to ensure pressure points are relieved and that bed sores do not have a chance to develop. For someone using a wheelchair, it’s important for them to change position at least every hour, preferably more frequently. Different types of cushions can also be used to relieve pressure. For residents who are bedridden, there are special mattresses that can be used to prevent bed sores from developing, and people should, as with wheelchairs, be repositioned frequently so as to relieve pressure.

Properly Treating Bedsores

Treating bed sores early on is best, and sores that are in the earlier stages of development can heal within a few weeks to a few months with ongoing treatment. Later-stage sores will take much longer to heal, if they can heal at all, and with some patients, the focus is shifted to pain management rather than healing. The first step is making sure someone with pressure sores is repositioned often, every fifteen minutes to two hours. Removing damaged tissue is the next step, followed by cleaning and dressing the wounds. Doctors and medical staff should provide detailed care instructions for ongoing treatment so the sores can heal and the patient can recover. Antibiotics may also be given to a person with pressure sores so that any infection can heal.

If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with bed sores, it's important to discard any type of abuse or negligence on behalf of nursing home staff. According to Medicare, more than 200 nursing homes in Illinois are providing below average or much below average care. Learn more on our website.