Bedsores are a risk to anyone who stays in the same position too long, but they are most common for those who are unable to move, like those who sit in a wheelchair or who suffer from paralysis. The pressure placed on the skin over time causes wounds. The sores, known as bedsores, pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, are completely avoidable.
To avoid bedsores, the body needs to be moved often. Most people move regularly; they shift little bits, even when they sit for hours at a desk job. The body is not designed to stay in the same position all the time. If the body has enough time to develop a bedsore, then the patient is not being moved enough.
Bedsores form where there is very little fat or muscle; for instance, the elbow has nearly no tissue between the skin and bone. If this has enough pressure placed on it over time, even as short as 12 hours, then a bedsore could form.
The sore itself is caused by a lack of circulation. Without circulation, the skin is not receiving oxygen or the nutrients it needs to survive. That can mean that the skin dies off, leaving an injury in its wake. The injury may not take place immediately; it may show up days or weeks later.
When the injury appears, it can be difficult to treat and painful for the patient. They take a long time to heal and can be a sign of bone infections or skin infections. If your loved one is suffering from a bedsore, it’s possible negligence is the cause. Your attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to file a claim.
Source: A Place for Mom, “Bedsores: Risk Factors & Prevention,” Jeannette Franks, accessed June 17, 2016
