Of the many injuries caused by patient neglect, decubitus ulcers (commonly known as pressure sores and bedsores) are one of most unnecessary.  While decubitus ulcers can cause devastating, life-altering injuries, they can often be prevented by caretakers with relatively minor effort.

In this article, we will discuss the role of medical malpractice in causing decubitus ulcers and the significant risks they pose to victims.

At the Law Office of Alvin F. de Levie, Esq., we have represented individuals and families in cases involving decubitus ulcers for decades throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including, for example, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, Centre County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Lehigh County, Clearfield County, and Fayette County, to name a few. In fact, we are presently handling cases involving decubitus ulcers in a long-term care facility and a hospital. Our team of lawyers has the expertise, the resources, and the experts necessary to take these cases to trial.

What are Decubitus Ulcers?

As described by the Mayo Clinic decubitus ulcers are caused by external pressure on the skin. This pressure often comes from lying or sitting in the same position for too long because hospital or nursing home staff does not properly observe and move the patient from one position to another.   The pressure compresses the blood vessels in the skin, depriving the skin of oxygen and nutrients. Over time, this leads to the swelling and eventual death of the underlying tissue.

Initially, the ulcer may present as a large, red, warm, painful bump on the skin (a Stage I decubitus ulcer). If left untreated, the victim will begin to lose skin in and around the sore as the underlying tissue begins to die (A Stage II decubitus ulcer). Advanced decubitus ulcers (Stages III and IV) can spread far into the underlying tissue, destroying muscle and bone, and posing a risk of serious infection. Victims of advanced decubitus ulcers are at risk of suffering permanent damage to their nerves and bones, which may result in paralysis or even death.

Those most at risk of developing decubitus ulcers are confined to hospital beds, nursing homes, wheelchairs and others who require assistance to move around. According to a CDC Data Brief from 2009, 11% of nursing home residents suffered from decubitus ulcers. Decubitus ulcers can develop in any confined setting, however, whether a hospital, nursing home, hospice, or even at home.

How Can Pressure Sores Be Prevented?

The simplest way to prevent decubitus ulcers is to simply redistribute the pressure by regularly moving the individual to a different position. This may involve moving a patient from their back to their side or having a patient who has been sitting too long lie down. In a hospital, nursing home, and other such settings, policies, including proper “turn schedules,” should be in place to require immobilized patients to be moved at regular intervals. The medical records kept by the nursing home or hospital should reflect how faithfully the medical providers adhered to the “turn schedule,” showing how often the patient was rotated or otherwise moved.

Caregivers and family members of patients at risk for decubitus ulcers should routinely check from head to toe for signs of new decubitus ulcers. Catching a decubitus ulcer early can mean the difference between an easy recovery and a lifetime of pain and disability. Family members visiting loved ones confined to nursing homes or hospitals should ask medical personnel about when and how frequently their loved ones are being rotated and otherwise moved to prevent decubitus ulcers. Loved ones should also ask what kind of monitoring and treatment is provided to ensure that decubitus ulcers are addressed when and if they do appear.

Decubitus ulcers often occur when medical personnel and staff fail to properly monitor patients who cannot move around on their own. Failing to notice a decubitus ulcer in its early stages, when simple treatments can address the ulcer, can lead to the development of a more invasive and more deadly ulcer.  Medical records kept by nursing homes and hospitals should reflect when a decubitus ulcer is discovered and should record regular observations of the nature and extent of the ulcer, as well as it’s growth and progression.

At the Law Offices of Alvin F. de Levie, our team of attorneys has decades of experience in reviewing medical records, and we know what to look for to determine whether your loved one’s medical providers were negligent in causing or treating a decubitus ulcer.

What Should YOU Do If You, A Loved One Or A Friend Suffers Injuries Caused by Decubitus Ulcers?

YOU SHOULD CONTACT MY OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.

Like all medical malpractice cases, cases involving decubitus ulcers are incredibly complex and require an extraordinary amount of investigation. Your attorney may need to obtain and review thousands of pages of medical records, which will then need to be reviewed by an expert. This is an expensive and time-consuming process that must begin as soon as possible to determine whether you have a claim. You also need an attorney with a thorough knowledge of the practice of medicine and the resources necessary to take the case to trial, if necessary.

At the Law Office of Alvin F. de Levie, Esq., our team of attorneys has decades of experience representing individuals and families injured due decubitus ulcers. We have handled medical malpractice cases throughout Pennsylvania: From Philadelphia and the surrounding counties to Centre County, from Central Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh, and from the New York border to the borders of West Virginia and Maryland. If you have suffered an injury or someone died as a result of decubitus ulcers, please call our firm – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – at (215) 696-3900 for a consultation. One of our team members will be in immediate contact with you. We maintain offices throughout Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, State College and Bellefonte. We are willing to meet any clients throughout the Commonwealth.