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more_legal_areas nursing_homeBed sores, also referred to as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, are areas of broken skin that have occurred because of the limited ability to move for an extended amount of time. Often times, nursing home residents can suffer bed sores if not cared for properly. Nursing home abuse has been considered one of the largest public policy challenges in recent times because of the widespread abuse in this nation and the problematic structure of many nursing homes that makes it difficult to change.
Bed sores usually occur at pressure point because the weight of the patient''s body pushes it against the bed for an extended amount of time. Pressure points include spots like the hip, spine, lower back, shoulder blades, elbows, and heels. The constant pressure temporarily cuts off the skin''s blood supply which then injures the skin cells and if it gets severe enough can lead to the death of the nursing home patient.
When bed sores start to form, a patch of redness will appear at the affected area. The failure to eliminate the pressure will allow the bed sores to continue to worsen. Allowed to continue, the bed sores will cause the skin condition to quickly become blisters and then open sores. In severe states, bed sores can cause injury to the muscle, bone, tendon, or joint.
Eventually, bed sores can cause serious medical complications such as sepsis, the body''s response to a blood borne infection. Sepsis affects especially elderly patients and causes a severe infection in the body and bloodstream that can lead to septic shock. Not treating the septic shock will lead to death.
Determining if bed sores are present is very easily done in most instances. A doctor or nurse can simply examine the patient''s skin and can perform diagnostic tests if there are symptoms of infection. In facilities such as nursing homes where people are more susceptible to bed sores, adequate care and attention can prevent bed sores from occurring or worsening. In at least 50 percent of bed sores, health care experts believe implementing basic care measures could have prevented them.
Reports of nursing home abuse have included severe cases of bed sores. Due in part to the high number of occupants and the low number of properly trained and paid workers, nursing home abuse has risen to epidemic numbers. Providing relief to bed-ridden occupants may seem a basic care of duty at a nursing home but reports continue to show even that cannot be achieved. As more and more measures are taken to completely change the way our nation cares for the elderly, citizens can help by becoming better educated on the topic that is sure to affect every single person.
Making sure pressure is relieved on vulnerable areas of the skin can prevent bed sores from ever forming. A patient should be moved into a new position every couple hours, and cushions or pillows can relieve take some of the weight off of pressure spots. Keeping the patient''s skin clean and dry and making sure to inspect the skin in order to detect any forming bed sores from worsening should be performed.
Bed sores can be extremely painful and severe if the proper care is not immediately administered. If bed sores have begun to form, it is essential to immediately relieve pressure so that the condition does not worsen. Bed sores can become deadly if left untreated.
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