How to Prevent a Bed Sore

As a Florida bed sore lawyer, I believe that pressure ulcers are almost always preventable hospital injuries. Bed sores result from the necrosis or death of the epidermis and/or dermis layers of the skin. Bed ridden patients develop bed sores after being subjected to prolonged pressure and inadequate turning. Many elderly patients have significantly impaired circulation which leads to tissue breakdown.

The most typical areas that develop ulcers are on bony body parts like the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, scapula, coccyx, sacrum, greater trochanter, ischial tuberosity, lateral knee, medial and lateral malleolus, metatarsals, and heels.

Most bed sores develop in the lower part of the body, on the hips and buttocks. Paraplegics have a 7% to 8% chance of death if they develop a pressure ulcer in the hospital, more than half will die within a year.

However, most if not all bed sores can and should be prevented by providing what all patients should receive: good nursing and medical care.

Our Miami hospital injury law firm makes the following recommendations to avoid developing a bedsore. It is important to remember that preventing a bedsore is far easier than treating them.

1. Frequently turn and reposition patients, even when in wheelchairs.

2. Instruct patients to change their own position frequently.

3. Use special mattresses specially designed to minimize bedsores.

4. Keep skin clean and dry, using mild soap and talcum powder.

5. Increase calories and maintain proper hydration.

6. Quit smoking. Smoking affects healing.

Our South Florida lawyers who help injured patients are currently representing patients who have developed bed sores, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers. If you have developed a bed sore during your admission to a hospital or rehabilitation center, seek immediate medical attention from a qualified wound care doctor, photograph the wound if possible and contact an experience bed sore injury lawyer.