Southern California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Nursing home and assisted living facility residents, as a result of age and certain underlying conditions, can be at greater risk of certain types of wounds and other injuries. Skin tears are among those, and when they are not properly treated, they can result in serious and even life-threatening infections. While skin tears on their own may not be the result of nursing home negligence or neglect, serious infections that result from them can be. When skin tear wounds do lead to severe infections, it is essential to seek advice from a San Diego County nursing home neglect lawyer who can help.
A recent report in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News discusses a new study concerning skin tears and risk factors among nursing home residents. Our San Diego County nursing home injury lawyers can tell you more.
What Are Skin Tears?
What are skin tears? According to Healthline, these are “wounds that may look like large cuts or scrapes” that “occur suddenly and typically health in an expected fashion over time.” While most skin tears do heal, these wounds are at risk of becoming infected or complex wounds. In some cases, certain skin tears can be more likely to become infected or to become complex wounds when they are full-thickness wounds. These wounds are especially common in long-term care facilities, according to McKnights.
Older adults in general are more likely to suffer from skin tears, and certain risk factors among those older adults make serious skin tears more likely. The recent study discussed in McKnights, which was published in Scientific Reports, revealed that nursing home and assisted living facility residents with the following risk factors were more likely to develop skin tears, with some of them resulting in serious infections:
- Lower body mass index;
- Regular corticosteroid use;
- Lower functional independence scores;
- Dry skin on the legs;
- History of falls;
- History of previous skin tears;
- Poor nutrition; and
- Polypharmacy.
When are Nursing Homes Liable for Skin Tears and Infections?
Not all skin tears give rise to nursing home negligence claims, but in many cases, nursing homes or assisted living facilities may be liable for harm.
When nursing home staff members do not properly assess and attend to patients who are at greater risk of skin tears, or do not properly address skin tears that do arise in order to prevent serious infections, the facility may be legally responsible. Facilities need to be aware of the risks associated with skin tears and to train staff accordingly. According to the article in McKnight’s, facilities should anticipate that nearly 20% of residents are likely to develop at least one skin tear in a given three-month period.
Contact Our San Diego County Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys Today
Skin tears and other wounds may occur without the presence of nursing home neglect or negligence, but when these wounds result in severe infections, the nursing home may be liable. If your elderly loved one suffered significant harm from an avoidable infection in a Southern California nursing home, it is important to discuss the details with an experienced San Diego County nursing home neglect attorney who can help. We can assess your case for you today and help you move forward with a claim. Nursing homes should be safe places for our elderly parents and loved ones, and it is important to hold these facilities accountable for neglect and negligence. Contact the Walton Law Firm to find out more about how we can assist you and your elderly loved one.
See Related Blog Posts:
Staffing Instability Increases Risk of Harm in Orange County Nursing Homes
Medicaid Cuts Could Threaten Long-Term Care for Seniors — Here’s Why It Matters
