When you or a loved one receives in-patient care at a hospital, especially after recovering from an illness or surgical procedure, doctors and nurses have a duty to tend to your health condition, as well as other medical care needs, including skincare. When a patient’s skin care is ignored, he/she can develop “bed sores” during his/her hospital stay.
Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, are caused by long-term pressure on the body, resulting in damage to the skin or underlying tissue. The severity of these sores can range from a redness over the infected area and blisters to sores affecting the fat tissue underneath the skin and complete degradation of the skin.
Bed sores often occur due to long stays at hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted-living facilities that host patients or residents. However, even relatively short periods of any lack of movement can lead to unrelieved pressure that hinders blood flow and causing the skin and tissue of the pressure point to break down.
Common factors that can increase a patient’s chances of developing bed sores include:
Poor circulation
Lack of good hygiene
Lack of re-positioning done by the healthcare provider
The patient’s immobility
Moisture buildup
Poor nutrition
Common types of patients that develop bed sores are those in the intensive care unit (ICU), those who suffered serious injuries, those with certain risk factors, those with poor dietary habits, and those with other medical conditions. When a patient develops bed sores, the hospital providing care can be held liable for the patient’s injuries.
Every healthcare facility owes a duty of care to each patient, which means providers must provide the patient with the applicable medical standard of care. Failure to provide such care results in a breach of duty.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to medical malpractice in Weston or within the surrounding area, contact Rash Mueller today at (954) 914-7116 to let an experienced legal team fight for you. Millions of dollars won on behalf of our clients!