Pressure Sores & Neglect
Pressure Sores are a sign of negligence
Pressure Sores are a Sign of Neglect
Pressure sores, otherwise known as bed sores, pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, can develop in potentially any patient when they spend too long lying or sitting in one position. They typically affect people who are confined to a bed or chair as the result of a debilitating illness and can be very painful for those who suffer from them.
Essentially, pressure sores are wounds that occur when a continuous pressure or friction is placed on one area of the body, damaging the skin. This happens because the pressure stops blood from flowing normally, leading the cells to die and the skin to break down.
How do pressure sores develop?
Pressure sores can develop in any part of the body, bony or cartilaginous areas, but most commonly affected are the knees, ankles, elbows and sacrum. The sacrum is a triangular bone sitting at the base of the spine, the upper area and the back area of the pelvic cavity.
Health authorities, both in the UK and the USA, define pressure sores as the second most iatrogenic cause of death, trailing only to adverse drug reactions. This term describes an unexpected death arising as a result of medical treatment, citing the actions of a physician or the therapy prescribed by a doctor as the cause. The NHS estimates that between 4% and 10% of hospitalised patients will develop at least one pressure sore.
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Claiming For Medical Negligence
Clinical Negligence Claim
There are times that the medical procedures and care we receive may fall short of everything you expect to receive, and things can go drastically wrong, leaving you worse off and perhaps, severely injured. Watch our medical negligence videos for more information about making a medical claim.
