Pressure sores, known more commonly as “bed sores,” are sores that form when a part of the body is not moved for a long time. For example, an ailing Pittsburgh resident who cannot get out of bed for many days may develop a bed sore if they are left in the same position for much of their convalescence. The weight of the person’s body causes blood to be cut off from the location of the sore and the sore forms due to this deficiency.
Bed sores can be a sign of nursing home neglect because they indicate that those who suffers from them have not been moved in a long time. A lack of attention to a nursing home resident and the development of bed sores may rise to the level of abuse if that individual requires assistance and monitoring and those services are not being provided to them. Nursing home residents who are left without care and attention can develop serious medical issues in addition to significant bed sore complications.
Bed sores can be classified into different stages. Stage 1 sores are the least serious and only affect the outer layers of the skin. Stage 2 sores penetrate the skin and result in blister-like sores that may bleed. Stage 3 sores can reach the fat layers that reside below a victim’s skin, while Stage 4 sores can push through the fat layer and reach a victim’s muscles and ligaments.
Understaffing or poorly trained nursing home staff may result in residents failing to receive the care they both need and expect. If a loved one develops bed sores while under the care of a nursing home, their relatives may wish to consult with legal professionals about whether nursing home abuse or neglect is possible.