| Whenever a patient is in a nursing home, | | | | the guidelines are being followed. |
| that patient is at risk of developing a | | | | Sadly, understaffing at nursing homes is |
| bedsore. Although there are both and | | | | a serious problem that leads to patient |
| federal and state guidelines | | | | neglect. |
| specifically designed to prevent bed | | | | For example, many residents are immobile |
| sores, many nursing homes and hospitals | | | | and unable to regularly reposition |
| have failed to follow these guidelines. | | | | themselves while lying in bed. The |
| As a result, nursing home patients are | | | | guidelines require nurses and aides to |
| developing bedsores at an alarming rate. | | | | physically move these patients every few |
| This article is designed to help | | | | hours to prevent bedsores. |
| patients and their families prevent | | | | Unfortunately, by the time an |
| bedsores when in a nursing home. | | | | overwhelmed nurse gets around to |
| First, some background. What is a | | | | checking on the resident, the two-hour |
| bedsore? A bedsore is skin and tissue | | | | time frame in which a bedsore can |
| that has died because it has not | | | | develop has already expired. Similarly, |
| received sufficient oxygen from the | | | | bedsores are also caused by prolonged |
| body. Since blood carries oxygen to all | | | | exposure of the skin to moisture. It is |
| parts of our body, a bedsore is | | | | no wonder then that patients who are |
| developed when the blood vessels that | | | | left to sit for hours in urine soaked |
| feed the skin are compressed or damaged | | | | diapers and sheets quickly develop |
| in some manner. | | | | bedsores in places that go unnoticed by |
| The compression or damage prevents the | | | | the nursing home staff and family |
| blood from reaching the skin and the | | | | members alike. Sadly, the situation |
| skin cells begin to die. If the blood | | | | spirals out of control and the resident |
| supply continues to be damaged or | | | | suffers because the staff could not make |
| compromised, more tissue will die. | | | | time to provide them with dry diapers |
| Eventually, the blood supply compromise | | | | and sheets. |
| can infect the underlying tissue, bones | | | | So, what should patients do to prevent |
| and joints. It takes as little as two | | | | these devastating injuries? |
| (2) hours of sustained blood flow | | | | Fortunately, nursing homes fear the |
| compromise to begin this process. | | | | civil tort system where juries can hold |
| Bedsores are common in the lower back, | | | | them financially accountable for failing |
| buttocks and on other boney protrusions | | | | to follow the guidelines. Family |
| that routinely come in contact with a | | | | members should not hesitate to seek |
| patient's bed. Although every patient | | | | legal advice if their loved one develops |
| in a nursing home is susceptible to | | | | a bedsore. In addition, family members |
| bedsores, the majority of cases are | | | | should go to the web, print up several |
| easily preventable. The United States | | | | copies of the guidelines and bring them |
| Department of Health and Human Services | | | | to the nursing home. Family members |
| has published clinical guidelines for | | | | should sit down with the nursing home's |
| bedsore prevention since 1992. | | | | medical director to ensure that the |
| These guidelines can be found at In | | | | guidelines are being followed with |
| addition, all nursing homes are required | | | | respect to their loved one. They should |
| to enact, publish, and follow similar | | | | leave a copy of the guidelines |
| guidelines to prevent bedsores. Despite | | | | prominently displayed on the resident's |
| longstanding published guidelines, why | | | | bedside table. Finally, family members |
| is it then that nursing home patients | | | | should follow-up in writing asking the |
| continue to develop bedsores resulting | | | | director of medicine and nursing if the |
| in hospitalizations, medical | | | | guidelines are being followed on an |
| complications and, in some instances, | | | | every other-day basis. |
| death? | | | | The real key is involvement. Family |
| Basically, the failure of healthcare | | | | members cannot sit back and blindly |
| facilities to employ enough qualified | | | | trust that their loved ones are in good |
| staff members is the primary reason for | | | | hands. Most residents are already in |
| the high incidents of bedsores. | | | | poor health when they enter a nursing |
| Typically, licensed practical nurses | | | | home facility. Therefore, any neglect |
| that work in a nursing home setting are | | | | can have serious physical consequences. |
| less experienced and cheaper to employ | | | | It is only by being a patient advocate |
| when compared to registered nurses. | | | | in the manner set forth above that |
| Furthermore, the resident to nurse ratio | | | | family members can ensure that their |
| is very high. The nurses are simply | | | | loved one is receiving the federally and |
| unable to spend the necessary amount of | | | | state mandated required bedsore |
| time with each patient to ensure that | | | | prevention care. |