Study: Bedsores Lead to Longer Hospitalization, Increased Risk of Death

December 18, 2012 (Press-News.org) A new clinical study by the UCLA School of Nursing has found a direct correlation between pressure ulcers--which are also called bedsores--and patient deaths or increases in the length of hospitalization.

During the study, researchers tracked about 51,000 randomly selected Medicare beneficiaries who were hospitalized across the nation. The study discovered that about 4.5 percent of the Medicare patients developed a bedsore while they were hospitalized, most developing on the sacrum or tailbone. In addition, a high number of bedsores appeared on the hips, buttocks and heels of the patients.

More alarmingly, the study found that although 3,000 of the patients already had a bedsore when they began hospitalization, 16.7 percent of them developed an additional bedsore on another area of their body during their hospital stay. The conclusion of the study stated that the patients who developed bedsores were more likely to require a longer length of hospitalization, to need to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge or to die during the hospital stay.

What are bedsores?

Bedsores are painful skin lesions that can be caused by friction, humidity, medication or long-term contact with liquids. However, the most common cause is constant pressure on the skin's surface for a sustained period of time. Although they are most common among the elderly, bedsores can occur among patients of any age who have a medical condition requiring them to spend significant time in a bed or wheelchair.

Over time, sustained pressure on the skin's surface stops blood from flowing to the tissues beneath the surface. Once deprived of blood, the skin and tissue cells start to die. If left untreated, the tissue and skin cells peel off and form an open wound. Without treatment, the wound can deepen and eventually expose the muscles, tendons and bones underneath the dead tissue. Without aggressive treatment, the wound can become infected, cause sepsis or gangrene and eventually cause death.

Consult an attorney

The best treatment for bedsores is prevention by changing the patient's positions and using air mattresses or pads to relieve pressure on the skin. However, if caught early, bedsores can be easily treated in most cases.

Bedsores are most common among the most vulnerable patients who are in nursing homes or in the hospital for a long period of time. However, it does not have to be this way. If the hospital or nursing home staff regularly monitor the patient's condition and periodically change his or her position, the risk of developing serious or fatal bedsores can be minimized.

Unfortunately, many hospitals and nursing homes fail to consistently provide a minimum level of care to prevent or detect bedsores. Under the law, this may constitute hospital negligence or nursing home neglect. If your loved one has developed bedsores as a patient in a hospital or nursing home, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney to protect your loved one's right to compensation.

Article provided by Hal Waldman & Associates
Visit us at www.waldmaninc.com