If you have an elderly loved one who currently resides in a nursing home in San Bernardino County or elsewhere in North County, it is critical to be aware of injury risks at their nursing home — including common signs of harm. It is critical to know that a nursing home can be liable for harm even in circumstances where harm was not intentional, including when a resident develops an infection like a bed sore.
When are bed sores most likely to occur in nursing home residents? While we know that patients with certain mobility issues are at greatest risk for this type of infection, a recent report from McKnight’s Long-Term Care News suggests that the wounds occur most frequently when nursing homes have staff members on overtime hours.
What are Bed Sores?
What are bed sores? These wounds, also known as pressure ulcers, are “injuries to the skin and tissue below the skin that are due to pressure on the skin for a long time,” according to the Mayo Clinic. Older adults are at greatest risk of developing bed sores if they “have medical conditions that keep them from changing positions or moving,” or when “they spend most of their time in a bed or chair,” says the Mayo Clinic.
Bed sores can develop quickly and require treatment within hours or days at the very latest. While bed sores that are identified and treated early will typically heal fully, more severe bed sores can cause significant pain and can sometimes affect the muscles and bones below the skin.
What is the Connection Between Overtime Hours and Pressure Ulcers?
What is the connection between overtime hours and pressure ulcers? In short, nursing home staff who have been on duty for a longer-than-average shift may be fatigued, and they may be less likely to properly identify and address bed sores or the needs of a patient to prevent these wounds.
According to the article in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, nursing homes experience an increase in pressure ulcer cases by more than 6% when they have staff members working overtime, and an additional 2% increase with “added overtime hours.” Nursing homes can be liable for the harm caused by pressure ulcers in these situations, so it is important to seek legal advice.
Contact Our San Bernardino County Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys for Assistance Today
Was your elderly loved one recently treated for serious bed sores? If so, those bed sores may have been the result of nursing home neglect or negligence. When a facility does not have sufficient staff on call to handle patient needs, or when staff members are experiencing fatigue and burnout, residents can suffer the results. If a resident with limited mobility is not properly turned and moved to prevent bed sores, and if staff do not quickly address bed sores when they develop, a nursing home resident can suffer greatly. In some cases, bed sores are so serious that they result in death. Do not hesitate to reach out to one of the San Bernardino nursing home neglect lawyers at our firm for assistance. Contact the Walton Law Firm to find out more about how we can help your family and your elderly loved one.
See Related Blog Posts:
Skin Tear Wounds in San Diego County Nursing Homes
California Attorney General Sues Skilled Nursing Chain for Systemic Neglect and Fraud