Bedsores are a symptom of nursing home neglect, which is a national problem.
Author: Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP
Suffolk County Accident Lawyers
The New York Times reported that 503,300 patients in U.S. hospitals in 2006 suffered from a bedsore that developed before or during their stay. That figure had increased 78.9 percent over the 1993 figure of 281,300 patients who had developed bedsores. The statistical increase led the US Health and Human Services Department to call for a 50% reduction in bed sore incidence by 2010.
Increases in bed sore statistics are not attributed to an increase in hospital admissions. Hospital admissions statistics between 1993 and 2006 only increased 15 percent, which was a sharp contrast to a 78.9 percentage increase in bed sores.
Taking effective measures to deal with bed sores
Hospitals have effective measures available to prevent and heal bed sores. This is evident through a 2006 clinical trial. According to PRNewswire, use of a modular protein supplement in a clinical trial conducted by Medical Nutrition USA, Inc. reduced pressure ulcers by 96% for long-term care residents. The study involved 89 residents in 23 different nursing homes who took the protein supplement along with topical and pressure relief treatments, enhanced foods, and other supplements. The combination of remedies significantly improved pressure ulcers.
You have to wonder why a greater number of nursing homes and hospitals are not more proactive about preventing and healing bedsores. Bed sores indicate negligence and a medical failure to provide acceptable care.
If you or a loved one experiences serious complications as a result of a bed sore, find out about your legal rights to pursue a medical malpractice case.
Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP devotes its practice exclusively to handling all types of injuries, accidents and medical malpractice claims. We can evaluate your case and advise about taking legal action. Arrange a free consultation with one of our Suffolk County personal injury lawyers.
