CHICAGO BEDSORE LAWYER
representing persons with bedsores
What Are Bedsores?
Bedsores are unnecessary wounds that develop after a person experiences periods of sustained pressure on a portion of the body. Often times, bedsores develop from a person lying in one position too long, and after a period of time, even short periods, the person developes a bedsore. Though sometimes, there are other contributing causes to bedsores, including malnutrition, dehydration, and incontinence.
How Are Bedsores Prevented?
Preventing bedsores involves assessing one's risk, taking preventative measures, and adapting to the needs of the patient.
Assess the Patient
When a person enters a medical facility, like a hospital or nursing home, the workers will assess the person's risk of developing bedsores. To do so, they will assess the patient and give them a numerical score to determine their risk and develop a plan of care.
Take Preventative Measures
That score should be the basis of preventative measures, and medical facilities, like hospitals and nuring homes, have multiple preventative measures at their disposal, including more frequent bed repositioning, pressure relieving mattresses, incontinence care, physical therapy, and protein supplements.
Adapt to Patient Needs
If the patient remains in the medical facility, including hospitals and nursing homes, the workers must adapt to the needs of the patient, if they change. For that reason, they must continue to reassess the patient throughout the stay.
If you or a loved one has a bedsore, you should contact us, so we can review the medical records and determine if the medical facility correctly assessed the patient, took preventative measures, and adapted to the patient's needs.
Where Do Bedsores Appear on the Body?
The most common areas for bedsores are the lower back, buttocks, ankles, and heels. Though, persons can develop bedsores in other areas, as well, including the legs, arms, ears, and head.
If you or a loved one develops a bedsore, the medical facility should contact you and notify you of same. Once it does, you should contact us.
If you or a loved one develops a bedsore, the medical facility should contact you and notify you of same. Once it does, you should contact us.
What Do Bedsores Look Like?
Bedsores are staged in accordance with their severity. Though, at any stage, they are gruesome and warrant a call to us.
Stage IThis bedsore stage is the beginning of bedsore formation.
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Stage IIThis bedsore stage is the first time that the bedsore breaks the surface of the skin.
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Stage IIIThis bedsore stage is a severe injury.
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Stage IVThis bedsore stage is the most severe. Often times, it is deep enough that it exposes bone.
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