One of the clearest signals of nursing home neglect is bedsores in residents. Bedsores are caused when pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin and underlying tissue. Facilities that are managed properly will regularly reposition residents to avoid prolonged sitting or lying in one position. Staff will also monitor a resident’s skin condition while ensuring proper hygiene and nutrition.
When these basic, but essential steps aren’t taken, bedsores may form quickly, and the consequences can be serious.
If you or a loved one has suffered from bedsores that may have been caused by nursing home neglect, Weisser Law can help. Nursing homes are required to provide a standard of care, and if that standard has been breached, you may be entitled to compensation.
What Causes Bedsores in Nursing Homes?
In most cases, bedsores develop when a resident is left sitting or lying in the same position for too long. Residents who are bedridden, in a wheelchair, or have limited mobility are particularly at risk for developing bedsores.
Among the most common causes are:
- Failure to reposition residents regularly.
- Inadequate staffing or supervision.
- Poor hygiene and moisture management.
- Malnutrition or dehydration.
- Failure to monitor high-risk patients.
- Improper use of bedding or medical equipment.
- Ignoring early signs of skin breakdown.
Bedsores are a largely preventable issue, which is why they are so often linked to nursing home neglect or abuse.
Signs, Symptoms, and Common Locations of Bedsores
The earlier the signs and symptoms of bedsores are spotted, the more likely they can be treated without major complications. However, if the warning signs go unnoticed or untreated for too long, bedsores can have major consequences.
Early-stage bedsores — known as Stage I or Stage II — may show signs such as red, purple, or discolored skin that doesn’t fade when pressed. Other warning signs include skin that is warm, firm, or tender; pain or itching in affected areas; blistering or shallow open sores; Skin that is shiny or dry.
Advanced-stage bedsores — known as Stage III or Stage IV — show signs like deep, open wounds that expose fat, muscle, or bone; blackened or dead tissue; drainage, pus, or a foul odor; severe pain or a complete loss of sensation; and visible, crater-like wounds.
Bedsores are commonly found on:
- Tailbone (sacrum)
- Heels
- Hips
- Ankles
- Elbows
- Shoulder blades
Injuries and Complications Caused by Bedsores
If left untreated or improperly treated, bedsores can have serious, life-altering effects on residents. In the most severe cases, it can cause death.
Serious complications can include skin, bone, and blood infections. Also known as sepsis, a blood infection can be fatal. Tissue damage can involve permanent skin or muscle loss; tissue death (necrosis), or gangrene, which may require surgical removal.
Bedsores can also contribute to an overall decline in health. Residents with bedsore may experience severe pain or immobility; worsening of underlying conditions, a serious decline in the quality of life; and an increased risk of hospitalization.
Health experts say Stage III and Stage IV ulcers are medical emergencies that often reflect prolonged neglect.
Bedsores & Pressure Ulcers FAQs
How quickly can a bedsore develop?
Faster than you would think, especially for high-risk individuals. When consistent pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin, pressure ulcers can begin to form in just a few hours. Individuals who have poor circulation, are immobile, or are malnourished are at the highest risk.
It’s extremely important that staff reposition residents routinely and provide proper care in a timely manner. Early-stage redness can turn into an open wound in just a few short days.
Are bedsores always a sign of nursing home neglect?
No, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a signal in many cases of neglect. Pressure ulcers are preventable when staff care for the resident properly. That includes repositioning the resident, conducting skin checks, and monitoring nutrition and hydration.
In cases where a resident develops advanced-stage bedsores, it’s typically a sign that staff failed to provide the required standard of care. Although certain medications increase the risk of bedsores in some residents, medical staff are still responsible for managing that risk.
What should I do if I notice a bedsore on a loved one?
Do not wait to take action! Begin by documenting your concerns with photos and diligent notes. Every detail helps when building a case involving nursing home neglect. Make sure to obtain medical records and ask the nursing home for a detailed explanation of how and why the bedsores happened.
Get your loved one medical treatment as soon as possible to prevent further injury, as bedsores can quickly worsen, meaning any delays in treatment may lead to serious harm.
In some cases, it may be necessary to contact Florida’s oversight agencies.
Can bedsores be treated or reversed?
The good news is that if caught early enough, bedsores can be treated and heal with proper care. Stage I and II pressure ulcers can be treated with pressure relief and wound care. Improving the resident’s nutrition also helps recovery.
However, advanced ulcers — Stage II and IV — can be very difficult to treat and may require surgery to treat. Long-term wound care and hospitalization are also possible with advanced ulcers.
The bottom line is, early detection makes a major difference in how severe the ulcers become.
Who is at the highest risk of developing bedsores?
Residents with limited or zero mobility are at the highest risk of developing bedsores, as they often can’t adjust themselves to relieve pressure points. This is especially true for those who use wheelchairs or are bedridden.
Residents with poor nutrition, cognitive impairments, diabetes, vascular disease, or who are dehydrated also find themselves at risk.
The healthcare staff is expected not only to identify these high-risk residents but also to take extra precautions to prevent ulcers from forming.
Are advanced bedsores an indication of serious problems in a facility?
While not always the case, advanced bedsores are a strong sign that the staff is not properly monitoring the resident. Advanced bedsores don’t appear overnight. They develop over time after the early warning signs are ignored or missed during checkups.
If a bedsore is a Stage III or IV, it usually means the resident went an extended period without being repositioned, monitored, or treated. Mistakes like this often reflect systemic issues within the facility, such as understaffing or poor training.
Why should I contact Weisser Law if I suspect nursing home abuse or neglect?
Cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect are often more complex than you may think and require precision in building your case. That’s where the team at Weisser Law becomes vital.
Nursing homes and their insurance providers will act fast and without restraint to protect themselves and weaken the credibility of your claims. Important medical records, staff logs, internal reports, and other critical evidence can be lost or altered if no one intervenes.
Weisser Law has decades of experience investigating these cases, spotting the warning signs of abuse, understanding how facilities will try to cover up their actions, and ultimately proving that our clients were harmed. Weisser Law consults the right experts to identify exactly how, where, and when nursing homes failed to meet their legal obligations.
Our focus is on building strong, evidence-driven cases that hold accountable the people and facilities that harmed our clients and their families.
Just as important, there’s no financial risk to getting answers about your circumstances. Your consultation is always free, and you pay nothing upfront — we only get paid if we win.