Pleasant Law Blog (Insurance Claims, Medical Misakes, and Nursing Home Claims)

Wound Ostomy Article: Reducing Pressure Ulcers in Long Term Care (Including Nursing Homes)

By Thomas Waitt Pleasant, Nursing Home Lawyer In North Carolina (Raleigh, Wilmington, Fayetteville) Toll Free 888.435.7156.. Here is a link to a recent article relating studies on the reduction of pressure ulcers (or pressure sores) in nursing homes and other long-term care settings. Pressure sores seem to show up in many nursing home abuse and neglect cases. In my North Carolina nursing home injury and wrongful death law practice, pressure sores are frequently an issue that has to be dealt with.  Often pressure sores become infected if not treated properly, and the infection can enter the blood stream and lead to sepsis, and even death. The worst pressure sores can be gruesome, exposing deep layers of muscle, and even bone. If you suspect your loved one who is in a nursing home has a pressure sore, or may have died from a pressure sore. you might consider seeking legal advice. 

Data Brief - Pressure Ulcers Among Nursing Home Residents

By Raleigh, Wilmington and Fayetteville North Carolina Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney Thomas W. Pleasant. The Division of Health Care Statistics (DHCS) of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) released its Long-Term Care Statistics Branch NCHS Data Brief: Pressure Ulcers Among Nursing Home Residents:  United States, 2004. After clicking on this link, you can access the data brief by clicking on "New Report Shows 1 in 10 Nursing Home Residents Have Bed Sores." This brief may be of interest to those involved in nursing home litigation, or legal cases against hospitals, where the patient or resident developed pressure ulcers or pressure sores. Pressure sores are a recurring theme in nursing home claims. For more information about nursing home lawsuits, and legal representation in nursing home or hospital cases in North Carolina, you can contact me Toll Free at 888-435-7156.

Pressure Ulcer Information from Wound Care Association (May Help Nursing Home Staff)

By North Carolina nursing home, assisted living attorney Thomas Waitt Pleasant. Toll Free 888-435-7156.  The Canadian Association of Wound Care sponsors a pressure sore prevention website for its Pressure Sore Awareness Program. This site has some good, basic information that may be of use to those who have family or friends in a nursing home or assisted living facility. While understaffing in nursing homes is a major cause of pressure sores (because the lack of staff prohibits proper turning and repositioning, and also proper nutrition required for the healing of pressure sores or pressure ulcers), this site gives some basic healthcare information on how -- assuming the nursing home, hospital or other health care facility has sufficient staff --  to evaluate the risk a nursing home or hospital resident has for developing pressure sores; and how to treat those sores to keep them from getting worse. This organization has develped a program to help facilities reduce pressure sores. Bad pressure sores generally should not happen, and if you or someone you care about has serious pressure sores, you may wish to contact a nursing home lawyer to help you determine whether a legal claim is appropriate. I am available to assist with such an evaluation in North Carolina, and can arrange to meet with clients anywhere in North Carolina, including at our Raleigh, Wilmington or Fayetteville North Carolina locations. Contact my office for help. Toll Free 888-435-7156.