Bed Sores injury highlights negligence

It is accepted that if pressure sores develop, due to a failure on the part of a hospital or care home, to follow appropriate risk assessments/care plans that this may well constitute negligent / substandard medical care. Something which should not happen under today's stricter health and safety policies.

What are Pressure Sores?

Pressure Sores are areas of the skin that become damaged and unhealthy due to consistent pressure applied, this is often found in bed ridden patients.

Initially the skin may become red and sore, and subsequently over what may be a relatively short period of time, it may become inflamed,and change to a darker hue, and become increasingly painful. If these complications develop and are not identified and managed promptly, it is more likely than not that further problems will develop - to include blistering of the skin, and the development of significant infections (both localised and systemic).

It is possible for serious damage to occur to the area beneath the skin and occasionally death could occure from resulting infections. There may be continuing care needed due to the sustained injury and possibly plastic surgery.

Prevention

It is accepted that it is good nursing practice to manage a patients bed posture which in turn will reduce the possibility of the onset of pressure sores. Correct assessment on admission is vital and continual management and monitoring essential to the well being of the patient.

Wheelchair users and bed bound patients are at risk of pressure sore injury, and that would include patients within an NHS or private hospital, elderly or ill patients admitted to nursing care homes or care homes residences. Parts of the body most prone to pressure sore injury are: hips, buttocks, heels, ankles, elbows and the rear of the head.

An important function of Nursing staff to ensure that a patients are not left in one position for several hours by turning them at regularly. It is also essential to ensure that patients are well hydrated and nourished to make them less vulnerable to pressure sores and other infections.

Clinical Negligence

With clear and defined nursing care guidelines it is fair to say that if a patient develops pressure sores, it could be due to negligence on the part of the treating clinicians / nursing staff at the time of the initial patient assessment, or subsequently during the later management / treatment especially if there has been a failure to follow appropriate nursing care plans.

At most at risk are those with long term care conditions such as dementia and those with reduced mobility such as patients with spinal injuries.

Making a Clinical Negligence Claim with an Expert Lawyer

When making a legal claim it is important to have experienced lawyer dealing with it. For further information about making a compensation claim for medical negligence visit http://www.pressuresores.co.uk