If your loved one developed bedsores, call a nursing home negligence attorney.
When a loved one in a nursing home is left alone in the same position for hours, they can develop painful bedsores.
So, if you notice this type of injury, understand that it is a classic sign of nursing home neglect, and you should review your legal rights and options with a lawyer.
Georgia nursing homes and bedsores
Georgia has more than 350 nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. But unfortunately, they do not all meet the same standards of care that facilities must meet by law.
More than 1 out of every 4 Georgia nursing homes - 94 facilities - were labeled "problem" facilities by The Longterm Care Community Coalition, a national watchdog group. Cities with multiple "poor performing" or problem skilled nursing, assisted living, and home health care facilities include:
- Atlanta
- Columbus
- Macon
- Milledgeville
In the meantime, here's what you need to know about bedsores and nursing homes.
What is a bedsore?
Bedsores are areas of damaged skin caused by too much pressure on the site due to lack of movement. There are four stages of bedsores, with four being the worst and most deadly.
The ulcers look like blisters or black spots and may be leaking pus. They tend to develop around the ankles, back, elbows, heels, buttocks, tailbone, outer region of the ears, and hips. Symptoms of a stage four pressure ulcer include warmth, redness, tenderness around the area, swelling, decreased range of motion, fever, and nausea.
Why do bedsores and pressure ulcers develop in nursing home residents?
Bedsores are typically 100 percent preventable. They develop when nursing homes fail to maintain good patient hygiene and do not change how residents are positioned every few hours.
Those who are bedridden, use a wheelchair, or cannot change position on their own are at a higher risk of developing sores. Likewise, residents left in soiled clothing are at risk of developing pressure ulcers. If left untreated, bedsores can become infected and fatal.
What happens when bedsores are not treated?
Bedsores do not heal on their own. Even when treated, the residents are often slow to recover. When residents are neglected, complications due to bedsores can be severe and lead to:
- Gangrene - Dead tissues.
- Osteomyelitis - Bone infection.
- Sepsis - Toxic infection in the bloodstream.
- Necrotizing Fasciitis - Deadly "flesh-eating" bacteria.
- Cellulitis - Bacterial skin infection.
Knowing how to identify these preventable and potentially life-threatening injuries can help you stop the mistreatment of a loved one and other residents.
Your loved one deserves justice. We can help you fight for it.
If someone you love has developed bedsores in a Georgia nursing home or assisted living facility, contact The Law Office of George S. Johnson, LLC for a free case consultation. When nursing homes act negligently or abuse residents, we hold them accountable.
Attorney George S. Johnson handles claims against nursing homes professionally and proficiently. He keeps his clients informed throughout every step in the process and has earned a reputation among his peers as a highly-skilled and respected attorney.
To learn more about how we can help with your potential legal matter, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Georgia nursing home neglect attorney. We can answer your questions and help weigh your legal options. From our Decatur office, we proudly serve all of Georgia.