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Pressure sores, also known as bed sores and pressure ulcers, are lesions caused by the death of soft tissue in the skin and muscles. They usually develop around bony prominences, such as the hip or heel. They are generally believed to begin at the level of the bone and work towards the skin. If they are not treated bedsores can be fatal.
Recent pressure sore claims have included:
Bedsores are normally preventable and the government has introduced national guidelines in an attempt to reduce the number of patients developing them. If a patient develops a bedsore then a medical negligence claim may be justified.
Causes of bedsores
The primary cause is pressure against the skin, for example from a mattress. Soft tissue needs an adequate blood supply to provide nutrients and remove waste. When these tissues are compressed the blood supply is restrcited and eventually the tissue begins to die.
Some bedsores occur as a result of one prolonged period of pressure against an area of skin. Others occur when an area of the body is subject to repeated periods of pressure.
For more information on making a pressure sore claim, call JMW on 0800 054 6512.
What are the risk factors?
Patients who are at the highest risk of developing bedsores are those who are confined to a bed or chair and are unable to move without assistance from others. This includes patients who are recovering from major surgery and those with high BMIs, as well as those who are suffering from limited awareness.
As moisture can hasten the onset of bedsores, patients who are incontinent in either the bladder or bowel are particularly at risk, as are those who are suffering from dehydration.
Types of bedsores
Bedsores are graded in terms of severity, with Grade 1 being the least severe and Grade 4 being the most severe. Grade 4 includes those bedsores which have penetrated through most of the soft tissue covering the bone. Of these, many never heal and can have serious ramifications on quality of life.
How can bedsores be avoided?
In the 1950's it became apparent that bedsores could be avoided by turning a patient over every two hours, thereby relieving the pressure on any one isolated area of skin. The government has introduced national guidelines which provide that any patient with a pressure ulcer should receive an initial and ongoing pressure ulcer assessment and should have access to pressure-relieving support services.
What is the treatment for bedsores?
Bedsores are treated by removal of the dead tissue followed by infection control. Diet is altered in order to ensure that the patient is receiving an adequate supply of nutrients. Care must be taken to ensure that there is no pressure on the wound and specialised mattresses can be used with certain patients.
The more severe forms of bedsores can result in serious complications. These include sepsis and gangrene. A small percentage of patients may go on to develop renal failure.
Medical Negligence
Bedsores are usually avoidable. When a bedsore develops as a result of a failure to implement national or local guidelines a patient may be able to bring a successful medical negligence claim. The level of compensation awarded in a successful medical negligence claim is related to the severity of the bedsore and the financial impact on the patient. If you are considering pursuing a medical negligence claim after developing a bedsore we can offer free initial advice to assess the merits of your claim.
Call freephone 0800 054 6512 or complete our enquiry form.
