Bedsores and Pressure Sores in Oklahoma Nursing Homes
If you have a loved one who is currently living in an Oklahoma nursing home, it may be in your best interest to learn about bedsores. Pressure ulcers are preventable injuries to the skin that can prove fatal if not properly diagnosed and treated. Hopefully the facility where your loved one resides makes every effort to prevent pressure sores from developing and has the staff necessary to treat bedsores before they become dangerous.
Bedsores are physical injuries that result from prolonged pressure on the skin. They most commonly develop on the heels, ankles, buttocks, and hips of patients who lie down or sit in the same position for many hours at a time. Therefore, patients who are immobile or wheelchair-bound are particularly at risk of suffering from pressure ulcers. Oklahoma nursing home staff can play a part in preventing bedsores by helping patients shift their weight and position throughout the day and night.
Oklahoma nursing homes have to do more than just try to prevent pressure sores. They must also carefully examine bedsores, determine the proper treatment and act upon the treatment plan. First, doctors treating the bedsore will have to evaluate the size and depth of the pressure ulcer to determine what type of treatment will be needed. It will also be necessary to check for fluids, bleeding, or debris in the wound that can indicate severe infection. The doctor should also make a determination as to whether the wound is spreading or if there are other wounds on the body of the patient.
When someone suffers life-threatening complications because of an untreated pressure sore in an Oklahoma nursing home, it could be a sign of neglect. If your loved one has been seriously injured or sickened as a result of bedsores, it may be in your best interest to discuss your legal rights with an experienced Oklahoma nursing home lawyer. Your actions may help prevent other elderly patients from suffering similar injuries.