Bed Sore FAQ » Bed Sore FAQ: Osteomyelitis and Bed Sores

Gangrene & Osteomyelitis Cited In Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Nursing Home

admin — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 14:59:05 +0000

The Journal Carrier reported on a recently filed Illinois lawsuit against Jacksonville Convalescent Center involving the death of an 87-year-old man at the facility. According to reports, the Illinois nursing home lawsuit was filed based on the poor care provided by the nursing home contributed to the patients death.

Despite having multiple medical conditions such as: prior strokes, hypertension, diabetes and dementia that put the man at an increased risk for falling, the facility allegedly failed to implement the necessary safeguards and he subsequently fell and fractured his hip which necessitated a surgery.

In addition to the fall and resulting injury, the lawsuit further alleges that the facility failed to prevent the development of a diabetic ulcer on the patient’s ankle that ultimately resulted in severe medical complications such as gangrene and osteomyelitis.

Related Bed Sore FAQ’s:

Can bed sores cause osteomyelitis?

If bed sores are not timely treated, can gangrene develop?

Can bed sores be fatal?

Bed Sore FAQ: Bed Sore Lawsuits

Nursing Home Injury Laws: Illinois

Threat Of Stiff Fines Still Fails To Reduce Rate Of Pressure Sores At Some Nursing Homes

admin — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:48:09 +0000

When nursing homes take simple, preventative steps such as: turning patients, keeping them clean, and providing adequate nutrition and hydration; they can greatly decrease the incidence of pressure sores at their facilities. However, even though the preventative steps are well known, many nursing facilities simply fail to implement the necessary care that patients require to function optimally.

I was particularly disturbed when I came across an article in the Arizona Daily Star regarding a Kindred-owned nursing home that has been repeatedly failed to provide sufficient wound care for its patients. In fact, Villa Campana Health Care Center was most recently fined by state authorities $10,000 following a horrific chain of events involving a patient who was admitted to the facility last fall.

Within a month of entering Villa Campana, a patient developed a pressure sore on their buttocks. Despite the staff’s documentation of the wound, little care was provided at the wound progressed to the point that bone was involved and an infection known as osteomyelitis ensued. Eventually, the patient required multiple surgeries to treat the advanced pressure sore including a debridement surgery to remove portions of the coccyx, sacrum and surrounding tissue.

Can bed sores cause osteomyelitis?

If bed sores are not timely treated, can gangrene develop?

Nursing Home Injury Laws: Arizona

What is surgical debridement of bed sores?

Are nursing home or hospital patients with a cast at risk for developing bed sores?

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:19:49 +0000

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 for bed sores to develop in these patients and assure regular turning and cast checks.

Should a bed sore (also referred to as: decubitus ulcer, pressure ulcer or pressure sore) form in a cast that has a surgical wound, there is a heightened risk for infection and possibly osteomyelitis.

In certain situations involving patients who have developed bed sores under their cast, the cast itself may have been applied improperly. In these situations, a cause of action may possibly be brought against the physician or medical facility where the cast was initially applied.

Can bed sores cause osteomyelitis?

admin — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:22:55 +0000

While bed sores do not directly cause osteomyelitis, the open wounds that accompany severe bed sores leave many patients susceptible to infection. Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bones that is caused by bacteria. In adults, the most common types of osteomyelitis causing bacteria are S. Aureus, Enterobacter and Streptococcus. In cases of severe bed sores (also referred to as decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers or pressure sores) the bacteria enters the body through the open wound and attacks the bone. Once the bone becomes infected, enzymes are released that restrict the bodies ability to heal. If left untreated osteomyelitis can spread into the bone marrow and surrounding joints.

In order to provide the best prognosis, osteomyelitis must be identified as early on as possible. Early signs of osteomyelitis may be treated with antibiotics. More advanced cases may require surgical debridement. In severe cases of osteomyelitis, amputation may be required to prevent the infection from spreading. Sadly, the mortality rate for people with osteomyelitis related to bed sores is extremely high.

Nursing Home Negligence Lawsuit Claims New York Facility Allowed Advanced Bed Sore To Develop In Rehab Patient