Can You Die From Bed Sores?

Nursing homes are facilities built for elderly individuals needing consistent medical care. While in a nursing home, a resident receives medical attention from nursing staff and specialists, has access to numerous living amenities, and receives daily assistance for basic tasks. Nursing home residents who are less mobile may develop pressure ulcers, also called bed sores. 

When pressure is applied to the area for an extended period, a pressure ulcer develops on the skin. Since some nursing home residents require assistance to move, inattention from staff can force a resident to stay bedridden, quickly leading to the development of pressure injuries. 

Without proper treatment, the affected area can become infected, leading to life-threatening bone infections, joint infections, or lead to sepsis, causing renal failure. 

The Progression of Pressure Ulcers

Pressure injuries vary in severity. The early stages of a pressure ulcer are not as disruptive or painful as the later ones. However, it is essential for healthcare providers to take corrective measures as soon as any pressure injury symptoms manifest to prevent the condition from worsening. 

Here are the stages of pressure sores and the coinciding symptoms to watch out for as a nursing home resident. 

Stage 1

A stage 1 pressure sore occurs when lack of movement starts to affect blood flow. The skin will develop non-blanchable redness, meaning it does not turn white when pressed. The skin is still intact and may feel warm; more severe cases may leave the skin purple or blue. 

This may be harder to spot on people with darker skin. It is essential to relieve pressure on the area at this stage to prevent moving to the next. 

Stage 2

At stage 2, the pressure ulcer will start to affect the integrity of the skin. The skin has partial thickness loss, which manifests as a partially open sore. These pressure injuries look like abrasions or blisters. 

The skin itself will be discolored, and the area will be painful. The effect on the skin is known as erythema, affecting the epidermis and part of the superficial dermis. If left untreated, a stage 2 pressure wound will worsen.

Stage 3

Stage 3 is when pressure injuries start to become severe. There is a lot of dead tissue, which means skin thickness loss is occurring. The bed sore will look like a crater, and the edges of the sore may have dark patches. 

There may also be necrosis in the subcutaneous tissue, which means the wound penetrates the fat layer. Without proper medical care, stage 2 pressure ulcers may become infected.

Stage 4

Stage 4 is the final and most dangerous phase of a pressure sore. Full-thickness tissue loss has occurred, and the injury exposes bones, such as shoulder blades, tendons, or muscles. The skin has been completely lost, creating serious risks of infection. 

If nursing home residents are suffering from stage 4 pressure injuries, they have likely been left immobile for very long periods, resulting in constant pressure on one area. If left untreated, the wound can become infected and lead to severe complications.

Health Risks Associated with Pressure Sores

Pressure ulcers are one of the most common signs of nursing home abuse or neglect. It shows patients are not being moved enough because these injuries result from reduced blood flow to an area from constant pressure. If pressure sores are allowed to escalate, they can increase the resident’s risk of further health complications. 

Here are a few health risks associated with untreated bed sores. 

Infection

The most common complication of a bed sore is an infection. Bedsores often lead to infections because a gap in the skin allows bacteria to pass through the skin barrier. 

Suppose you develop bedsores on the buttocks, tailbone, or genital area. In that case, you may face a greater risk of infection because urine or fecal matter can contact the injury and infect it. Once the affected skin starts to break in stage 2 and beyond, the risk of a skin infection increases quickly. Nurses must prevent infection to avoid life-threatening complications.

Sepsis

Sepsis is an extreme response by the body’s immune system. The more serious the infection, the harder the body must fight to defeat it. Essentially, the processes that are designed to fight the infection turn on the body instead, negatively affecting organs and other systems. 

A person with sepsis could go into septic shock, which is caused by low blood pressure and severe organ issues. Sepsis can develop from any type of infection, but fragile skin from a pressure ulcer is one of the most common culprits in nursing homes.

Organ Failure

The final stage of a serious infection may be organ failure. In this scenario, the infection has led to sepsis and, eventually, septic shock. The body’s immune system is now attacking itself rather than the infection from the bed sore. 

Residents in nursing homes typically have weakening immune systems, making them more vulnerable to complications from pressure injuries. Once sepsis has set in, it can easily cause multiple organs to fail, eventually leading to the patient’s death. 

In nursing home settings, residents are at an increased risk of developing bedsores and experiencing more severe complications, so it is essential to be vigilant if you or a loved one live in a nursing home. 

Prevention of Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers are caused by prolonged pressure on an area of the body, resulting in decreased blood flow that can deteriorate healthy skin and cause a sore. 

The body’s most vulnerable parts are bony areas and joints, such as the hips, elbows, heels, shoulder blades, ears, and the back of the head. If you or a loved one are living in a nursing home, there are several ways to reduce the risk factors associated with decubitus ulcers. 

Regular Skin Inspections

Frequent skin checks should become part of your routine, especially if you or your family member has reduced mobility or can’t sense pain. If you are recovering from an injury or illness requiring bed rest, you should ensure nursing staff or family members check the most vulnerable areas. 

Often, the affected skin may not feel painful during stage 1, so a visual inspection is the only way to notice the sore. Ideally, the assisted living facility staff would already look for potential ulcers, but negligence could force you to make an alternative plan. 

Pressure Relief Techniques

If you feel elevated pressure on a specific body area, you can try numerous pressure relief techniques to maintain consistent blood flow. Reposition yourself to ease the pressure. 

For example, if you feel a lot of pressure on the back of your head for a prolonged period, try lying on your side. You can also request special mattresses to reduce pressure on bony areas when sitting or lying in bed. 

Adequate Nutrition and Hydration

You’re more likely to develop a pressure ulcer if your skin is in poor health. Keeping your skin healthy may delay the effects of a pressure ulcer. Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated. Even if you develop a pressure injury, eating well and drinking plenty of water could prevent it from advancing to stage 4. Speak with staff if you’re concerned about poor nutrition.

Skin Care

Skincare routines can play an important role in preventing ulcers and serious infections. Even if it is too late to stop the ulcer, proper skin care can aid in wound healing to keep the sore in the early stages. Wash your skin well with soap and moisturize it. The cleaner your skin is, the easier it will be to prevent infections from pressure injuries. 

Legal Implications of Pressure Injuries

Patients suffering from an open wound due to poor blood supply and prolonged pressure are often victims of nursing home negligence. The facility may be held liable if a nursing home resident dies or suffers the consequences of a severe infection from a pressure wound. Let’s discuss the potential legal implications of a pressure injury in a nursing home. 

Negligence and Malpractice

Medical professionals are required to provide a certain standard of care to patients. Elderly nursing home residents have the right to expect quality care, so if they develop serious conditions like stage 4 ulcers, it is often due to negligence or malpractice. 

These healthcare providers sometimes fail to ensure proper care for every resident, and an ulcer is an obvious sign of nursing home abuse or neglect. 

Winning a medical negligence or malpractice case requires evidence of abuse or neglect. A deep wound from a pressure ulcer is proof. Still, you may need medical records, expert testimonies, and other data to prove your case and win compensation. 

Liability of Nursing Homes

Since nursing home staff are responsible for the health and well-being of residents, it is up to them to prevent pressure ulcers. Residents should have their health needs met to ensure their skin is healthy and protected from possible infections. 

If nurses or administrators fail to prevent bedsores in a resident, the facility may be held liable for any legal damages. Legal damages in this type of case could include medical bills, emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life.

Surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the facility if pressure ulcers lead to death. Plaintiffs can claim damages for funeral costs, burial expenses, and loss of consortium. 

Seeking Legal Advice

Suppose you notice the warning signs of poor blood circulation to a particular area or have already suffered from the latter stages of a pressure injury. In that case, you should consult a nursing home lawyer. 

An experienced attorney can discuss your options as a nursing home resident or family member who suspects negligence may have caused this potentially life-threatening condition.  

Once you speak with a lawyer, they can recommend the best action. This could involve filing a complaint with facility administrators and result in a lawsuit for legal damages. Your nursing home abuse lawyer will be crucial in gathering evidence, assessing damages, and negotiating for fair compensation. 

Secure Expert Legal Representation! 

Family members are the first to notice the affected area in many cases involving pressure ulcers. If you wait to take action, your loved one faces a higher risk of infection. If the sore is left untreated or the patient is not receiving proper nutrition, the condition could escalate to stage 4 and lead to death. Nursing home patients and family members must act quickly.

At the Nursing Home Law Center, we represent many clients who have suffered from bed sores. Our team will investigate your case, protect your rights, assess damages, gather compelling evidence, and even represent you in court if necessary. 

The sooner you seek legal advice regarding the pressure injury, the sooner we can take action that could potentially save a life. We will also help you seek justice if you have already suffered due to the injury.

Call the Nursing Home Law Center today at 800-926-7565 or complete the online form to request a free consultation.