Has a Loved One Been Neglected?
When you discover bed sores on your loved one while he or she was in the care of medical professionals, one of the first thoughts you may have is whether they were a victim of neglect or not.
Learning more about how these sores form and what causes them can help you know what to do next.
Common signs
Often, the sores look red, irritated, and have a strange swelling to them. The skin is tender to the touch, which shows the severity of the injury. In the worst cases, the irritation goes deep into the bone or under the skin.
Reasons why
Not all bed sores come from neglect. Sometimes, a patient may develop them only over a few hours of laying down. Clothing irritating the skin or an intense pressure on a certain area of skin, such as laying on your side, may hasten the growth of these spots.
However, it is also important to take into account the mobility of the person who has the sores. If he or she cannot roll over, it is up to the medical personnel to help facilitate movement in order for the patient to not get sores. Some risk factors for this issue include the inability to move freely, incontinence, and lack of nutrition or healthy foods. Negligence may be at play if these issues are not addressed quickly.
Next steps
In order to prevent future health issues, the patient should take special care of his or her skin and adjust any seat or bed upward. It is also important to take steps to avoid pressure on sensitive spots that were previously irritated. It’s also important to contact a medical malpractice attorney to ensure your loved one is safe and is no longer neglected.
