How to Avoid Stage 4 Bedsores
One of the key, baseline duties of any nursing home, home health care aid worker, or any long-term care facility is to ensure that elderly, disabled, or otherwise enfeebled patients and residents are not left immobile for extended periods of time. When a person rests on a couch, sits in a chair, or stays lying in bed for a long duration over and over again, they are likely to develop bedsores, also called pressure ulcers. Bedsores are painful, debilitating, and dangerous.
Continue reading to learn how to identify and mitigate bedsores, and reach out to a seasoned New Jersey nursing home neglect lawyer for more information.
What Are Stage 4 Bedsores?
Stage 4 bedsores are the most severe form of bedsore. Stage 4 occurs when the tissue has decayed down to the muscle. Severe bedsores put nursing home residents at serious risk of infection. They are also easily preventable if a nursing home is doing its job correctly. Severe bedsores are a clear sign of nursing home negligence.
Signs of Bedsores
Bedsores are injuries to the skin that arise from prolonged pressure on the skin. They are at higher risk of developing when bony areas, such as heels, ankles, hips, and the tailbone, are subject to prolonged or repeated pressure.
Bedsores are easy to identify and prevent by adequately trained and attentive nursing home staff. Qualified nursing home staff know to regularly check on disabled residents to ensure they are periodically moved and rotated. They should also know how to take proper care when transferring patients to and from wheelchairs and beds to avoid undue pressure on sensitive areas.
Common signs that bedsores have developed or will soon develop if left untreated include the following:
● Unusual changes in skin color or texture
● Swelling
● Drainage and pus
● Skin areas that feel warmer than other areas
● Tender skin areas
Stage 4 bedsores have specific additional indicators showing that the ulcers have become more serious. These signs include:
● Exposed tissue or bone
● Significant drainage
● Blackened skin
● Hot skin
● Distinctive odor
● Red edges and swelling around the ulcer
If you or a loved one shows any signs of severe bedsores, it is vital to seek medical attention immediately. Stage 4 bedsores can cause infection, severe pain, renal failure, sepsis, and other complications, which can potentially prove fatal.
Get Immediate Help and Care for Your Loved Exposed to Nursing Home Neglect in New Jersey
If you or someone you love has been subjected to abuse or negligent care in a New Jersey nursing home, contact the experienced and dedicated Hamilton nursing home negligence attorneys at Lance Brown & Associates at 609-587-5100.
