Pressure Sores

South Carolina Nursing Home Neglect Attorney

Pressure sores are a serious and common medical condition in United States nursing homes and remain an important public health problem. Pressure sores are wounds caused by unrelieved pressure on the skin, and they usually develop over prominent bones such as the elbow, heel, hip, shoulder, back or back of the head. Pressure ulcers, when left untreated, can become serious medical conditions and are one of the important measures of the quality of clinical care in nursing homes.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as one in every 10 nursing home residents have developed pressure ulcers. Bed sores develop most often in patients who have experienced recent weight loss, who are under heavy medication, or who are primarily immobile and confined to their bed.

Bedsores are a preventable injury that can be avoided through proper hygiene and by repositioning elderly patients on a regular basis. The breach of trust that occurs when you discover that your loved one has developed pressure sores or has been abused or neglected in some way is devastating and must be challenged.

Serving the South Carolina counties of Horry, Georgetown, and Marion, the Maguire Law Firm offers personalized service and the experience needed to see even the most difficult case through to a successful outcome. We understand health care laws and regulations as well as the complex medical terms and conditions that are often presented during lawsuits. If someone you know has severe bed sores they may be eligible for compensation for the pain and suffering resulting from health care negligence.

In the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area call 843-361-7549 or use our toll free number at (800) 525-9900. You can also contact us online.

Pressure Sore Medical Information

Pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores, pressure sores, or decubitus ulcers describe the same malaise that afflicts one in 10 nursing home patients. Close to 160,000 nursing home residents will end up with painful bed sores during their first year of infirmary.

The National Library of Medicine further defines pressure sores as unrelieved pressure on the skin which squeezes tiny blood vessels supplying the skin with nutrients and oxygen. When skin is starved of nutrients and oxygen for too long, the tissue dies and a pressure ulcer forms. Skin reddening that disappears after pressure is removed is normal and not a pressure ulcer.

While careful monitoring, hygiene and medical care can prevent the occurrence of bed sores, the likelihood of a patient developing one remains high.

Bed sores are categorized according to the following stages:

• No pressure ulcer;
• Stage 1: A persistent area of skin redness, without a break in the skin that does not disappear when pressure is relieved.
• Stage 2: A partial thickness is lost and may appear as an abrasion, blister, or shallow crater.
• Stage 3: A full thickness of skin is lost, exposing the subcutaneous tissues -- presents as deep crater with or without undermining adjacent tissue.
• Stage 4: A full thickness of skin and subcutaneous tissues are lost, exposing muscle or bone.

Sores with a staging of 2 or higher should receive wound care by specially trained professionals or staff.

Preventing Pressure Sores

Preventing sores from developing is the best defense. Health care providers and family should ensure that at-risk patients have their skin inspected at least once a day. Special attention should be given to any reddened areas that remain after the patient has changed positions and the pressure has been relieved.

Skin should be cleaned as soon as it is soiled. A soft cloth or sponge with mild soap or cleansing agent should be used to reduce injury to skin. Additional measures should be taken to minimize irritation and prevent dry skin. When bathing or showering, warm water and a mild soap should be used. Only physician-approved lotions and ointments should be applied to the skin to keep it moist and pliable.

Where Your Best Interest is What Matters

If your elderly loved one has developed unrelieved pressure sores, you should discuss your concerns with his or her health care provider. You should also discuss your legal options with an attorney. We feel very strongly about this issue and take an aggressive approach in pursuing justice and compensation for our clients.

The staff at the Maguire Law Firm has a strong understanding of the medical terms and conditions and can turn complex information into real language that real jurors can understand. This, combined with our ability to go to trial and fight for our clients rights, can make all the difference in your loved one's case.

Contact Us

To reach us in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area call 843-361-7549 or use our toll free number (800) 525-9900. You can also contact us online. We offer free initial consultations and flexible appointment scheduling for your convenience.