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Bed sores are areas of skin that break down when a person stays in one position for too long without shifting their weight. This often happens if a person is wheelchair-bound or is bedridden.
more »Recent Questions
Why are rehab patients at risk for developing bed sores?
Thousands of people enter rehab facilities every year for the purpose of healing an injury or to get short-term medical treatment only to get more than they bargained for– a bed sore. The underlying reasons why rehab patients develop bed sores (also referred to as: pressure sore, pressure ulcer or decubitus ulcer) are the same [...]
... more »What types of wound dressing can be used on bed sores?
In order for bed sores to heal, attention must be paid to the removing dead tissue and protecting the wound from infection causing bacteria. Dressings are usually applied to help the body heal itself. The type of dressing and the frequency with which it is to be changed is ordered by a physician with the [...]
... more »Are assisted living facilities responsible for the prevention of bed sores in their patients?
As our elderly population rapidly expands, so has the group of non-traditional facilities that hold themselves out as quality caregivers. Today, facilities such as: assisted living facilities, group homes and adult day care centers share the responsibility of caring for our most vulnerable citizens — the elderly– along with more traditional nursing homes.
Understandably, many elderly [...]
Can bed sores cause cancer?
Although not frequently encountered, bed sore (also know as: pressure sore, pressure ulcer or decubitus ulcer) patients are at risk for developing a type of skin cancer known as squamous carcinoma. Doctors and scientists are still researching the connection between the development of bed sores and cancer, but the underlying belief is that bed [...]
... more »How much money does it cost to pursue a claim or lawsuit for bed sores?
Your financial circumstances should not be a hindrance when it comes to pursuing a claim or lawsuit against a facility where a loved ones bed sores developed. Most claims and lawsuits stemming from the development of bed sores during a hospitalization or admission to a nursing home can be pursued with little or no out-of-pocket [...]
... more »Can bed sores cause cellulitis?
Yes. Cellulitis is a bacterial (usually staph or strep) infection in the skin and the underlying connective tissue that usually is associated with pain, swelling and discoloration. Patients with open wounds caused by bed sores are susceptible to contracting cellulitis as the wound provides easy access for the bacteria to enter the body. When left untreated, [...]
... more »Can spinal cord injury patients with bed sores develop autonomic dysreflexia?
Autonomic Dysreflexia (or hyperreflexia) is a dangerous condition that can occur with bed sore patients or patients with spinal cord injuries above the middle of the chest (usually above T-5). Autonomic dysreflexia occurs when an irritation or pain (frequently caused by bed sores) below the level of the spinal cord injury sends a signal [...]
... more »Are nursing home or hospital patients with a cast at risk for developing bed sores?
Yes. The combination of limited mobility associated with a heavy cast, the constant pressure on areas of the body and a moist environment are all factors that may contribute to the development of bed sores in patients who have casts on their arms or legs. Nursing homes and hospitals should be aware of the potential [...]
... more »How do medical facilities assess healing bed sores?
In order to maximize the effectiveness of bed sore treatment, medical facilities need to monitor bed sores as they heal. Most medical facilities assess how well a bed sore (also called: decubitus ulcer, pressure ulcer or pressure sore) is healing based on the size of the wound and the physical characteristics. The size of the [...]
... more »Why are mentally disabled patients at risk for developing bed sores?
Mentally disabled patients are at a heightened risk for developing bed sores primarily due to the fact that they may be completely reliant upon staff in a nursing home or hospital for their care. Unfortunately, some mentally disabled patients my physically look well and the staff may mistakenly believe that they do not require assistance [...]
... more »Why are physically disabled patients at risk for developing bed sores?
Bed sores are common problem facing physically challenged patients in nursing homes and hospitals alike. The primary reason physically disabled patients are at risk for developing bed sores (similarly called: decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers or pressure sores) is because they are reliant upon caretakers to take the necessary steps to prevent bed sores.
In particular, physically [...]
Can malnutrition cause bed sores?
Yes. As unbelievable as it sounds, some patients are literally starving in nursing homes and hospitals across the country. When patients are not given adequate nutrition, organs begin to fail and critical body functions begin to deteriorate.
As the largest organ of the body, the skin is one of the first places where the consequences of [...]
Can dehydration contribute to the development of bed sores?
Yes. Dehydration occurs when a person does not receive enough liquid through oral consumption or via a feeding tube. Inadequate fluid consumption results in imbalance of the bodies chemistry and reduction of blood volume. Changes in blood volume and chemistry typically interfere with circulation. The decrease in circulation translates to inadequate supply of oxygen and [...]
... more »What legal action can be taken if a bed sore developed during an admission to a long-term care facility?
If you or a loved one developed a bed sore during an admission to a long-term care facility (assisted living facility, nursing home or group home), your first step should be to get appropriate medical care for them. After medical care is obtained, you may wish to file a complaint against the facility where the [...]
... more »Are bed sore patients at risk for amyloidosis?
Elderly nursing home residents, especially those suffering from other diseases such as bed sores, have a higher risk of developing amyloidosis, a disease which can damage various tissues and organs. This can cause dangerous complications in residents who are already weak from advanced age or underlying disease.
Amyloidosis is a group of diseases caused by abnormal deposits [...]
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Bed Sore Question Categories
- Amputation
- Amyloidosis
- Assessment
- Assisted Living Facilities
- Autonomic Dysreflexia
- Bed Sore In Hospital
- Bed Sore Lawsuits
- Bed Sores In Nursing Homes
- Causes of Bed Sores
- Cellulitis
- Colostomy
- Common Areas For Bed Sores
- Debridement
- Decubitus Ulcer / Pressure Ulcer / Pressure Sore
- Dehydration
- Dressings For Wounds
- Flap Reconstruction
- Gangrene
- General Information
- Group Homes
- Healing Bed Sores
- Infection In Bed Sore
- Legal Aspects
- Malnutrition
- Medical Equipment
- Medical Malpractice
- Mentally Disabled Patients
- Necrotizing Fasciitis
- Osteomyelitis
- Patients With Casts
- Physically Disabled Patients
- Prevention
- Reporting Poor Care
- Research On Bed Sores
- Sepsis
- Squamous Carcinoma
- Stages & Development
- Tunneling Bed Sore
- Wound Care
- Wound Dressing
- Wound Treatment
- Wound Vac
- Wrongful Death
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