The Stages of Bedsores in a Nursing Home

Bedsores are also known as pressure ulcers. They are essentially sores or wounds that develop when there is extensive pressure on one part of a person’s body.

For instance, an elderly person in a nursing home may spend almost every day lying or sitting in the same position. They need staff members to help them reposition themselves. But if they are neglected by the staff and do not get the assistance they need, bedsores can develop.

4 general stages

Although every situation is different and bedsores can have varying degrees of severity from one patient to the next, there are four basic stages to consider:

• Stage one: This is when the area may appear slightly irritated, but the skin is still intact.
• Stage two: This is when skin loss begins, and the wound is spreading and deepening through the upper layers of the skin, known as the epidermis and the dermis.
• Stage three: Skin loss becomes more extensive and the damage reaches subcutaneous tissue. This may be characterized by a foul-smelling odor.
• Stage four: These are the most serious injuries that have progressed beyond the skin and deep into the tissues beneath. In some cases, this means that fat, muscle and even bone can be damaged.

All four stages can be painful and may require medical treatment. Additionally, some bedsores that are even worse than stage four are hard to categorize because the damage itself makes them difficult to inspect. These could lead to infection and other health complications. 

Your legal options

Do you believe that a loved one suffered from serious bedsores or other injuries due to negligence in a nursing home or assisted living center? If so, take the time to carefully look into your legal options.