Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores and pressure sores, can be debilitating, painful and potentially fatal if left untreated. However, with appropriate nursing care, pressure ulcers can be prevented most of the time.
The most prominent cause of a pressure ulcer is significant lack of mobility over a period of time. This can be due to a person being bed-bound or wheelchair-bound, recovering from surgery, or simply by laying or sitting in the same position for a long time. A pressure ulcer develops when there is unrelieved pressure on a particular area of the body for extended periods of time. The most common areas include:
- sacrum or buttocks
- lower back
- heels
- elbows
Grades of Pressure Ulcers
Pressure ulcers are divided into four grades depending on the severity of the ulcer:
- Grade 1: Discolouration of the skin.
- Grade 2: Partial skin loss, presents as a wound or a blister.
- Grade 3: A deep wound which presents like a deep crater on the skin.
- Grade 4: A very deep wound that may reach the muscle or bone with extensive necrosis extending to the underlying tissue.
- A pressure ulcer that is considered beyond grade 4 is categorised as ‘unstageable’.
Whilst there are certain circumstances where a pressure ulcer is unlikely to be avoidable, in a large number of cases, pressure ulcers develop due to inadequate nursing care or risk assessments.
Prevention of Pressure Ulcers
In most cases pressure ulcers can be prevented by:
- Avoiding prolonged periods of pressure on any one area of the skin.
- Regularly repositioning (if bed bound).
- Using a pressure relieving mattress, which is specifically air-filled to relieve pressure on certain areas of the body.
- Using pressure relieving aids such as ring cushions or heel cushions.
- Regularly washing and drying the skin to keep it clean.
- Maintaining a balanced diet and drinking plenty of fluids.
- Regular monitoring of the skin to detect early signs of pressure damage and seeking medical care if skin changes are noticed.
Our Recent Cases:
Mr P sustained a grade 4 pressure sore to his right heels and sacrum. We secured compensation for him in the sum of £28,000.00.
Mrs R sustained a grade 3 pressure ulcer to her sacrum. With our assistance she received £17,000.00 in compensation.
Mrs T sustained a grade 2 / 3 pressure sore to her right calf. We secured £18,000.00 in compensation for her injury.
We Are Here to Help You
Our medical negligence team has a wealth of experience in dealing with pressure ulcer claims resulting from medical negligence.
We continue to act for numerous clients who have developed pressure ulcers due to negligent treatment received at hospitals, care homes and nursing homes.
If you or a loved one has sustained a pressure ulcer in hospital, care home or nursing home you may have a potential claim for medical negligence. Contact our friendly and helpful medical negligence team for advice on 0121 355 0011.
We run our medical negligence claims under no win no fee. We fund your claim through to conclusion, and will not ask you for money upfront. Please call us to discuss your claim, you have nothing to lose by making a call to our professionals.
