Legal Practice

Bed Sores:

Bed sores are sometimes referred to as either pressure sores or decubitus ulcers. These sores are typically caused by allowing residents to lie in the same position for long periods of time. The most frequently affected areas are the bony prominences of the body. Specifically, bed sores typically develop on the lower back, ankles, heels and toes.

Conditions such as incontinence and the necessity of wearing a diaper contribute to the worsening of a bed sore. These sores can range from a very mild pink discoloration of the skin, to very deep, open, black wounds extending through the skin and into the bone itself. Typically these wounds become infected and necrotic (dead tissue) and require surgery and antibiotics.

These sores can be prevented by changing a resident's position frequently and at regular intervals. Bed sores can typically be healed and prevented through adequate nutrition and attention.