Once a nursing home resident develops a bedsore, immediate treatment should be administered. The type of treatment depends on the stage of the bedsore. Once it reaches stages 3 or 4 where infections are much more likely, debridement might be necessary. Debridement is a procedure designed to remove infected or dead skin tissue to help promote wound healing. It’s not required for all wounds, and it’s usually up to a medical professional to decide when it’s necessary. A bedsore attorney in Manhattan, NY should be notified if debridement is imminent.
When Does Debridement Become Necessary?
Debridement is a necessary procedure if wounds won’t heal on their own. The wound might begin early stages of healing, but then simply stop improving. When dead or infected tissue is removed through debridement, healthy tissue production is encouraged and potential complications can be reduced significantly. Every patient should be evaluated and certain risk factors should be taken into consideration. While debridement is often used on old wounds that won’t heal, it might be necessary for newer wounds if patients are at a high risk of developing infections.
Caring For Debridement
A bedsore lawyer in The Bronx will caution you to ensure the wound is treated properly after debridement. Some of the common post-care treatments nursing home staff should provide include:
- Keeping the wound clean and protected at all times
- Changing the wound dressing regularly
- Keeping moisture away from the wound
- Avoiding pressure on the affected area
While debridement is typically an effective method for helping a wound heal, it can also turn into complications if not cared for properly. If you don’t believe the nursing home staff is caring for your loved one’s wound appropriately, a bedsore lawyer may need to get involved.
Recovery And Potential Debridement Complications
The recovery process can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on the severity and your loved one’s overall health. And of course, the treatments provided by the nursing home staff play a major role in the recovery process. Some of the major complications of debridement include damage to the tissue, infections, bleeding, and more. With proper care, the recovery should be successful and complications can be avoided.
Sinel & Olesen, PLLC is here if you need a bedsore lawyer for your loved one. Debridement is an effective procedure, but it also doesn’t have to happen in the first place if proper prevention techniques were used. You shouldn’t have to pay for medical procedures like debridement if the nursing home staff was negligent. Be sure to reach out to us today for a free case evaluation and potentially recover some of the expensive medical costs.
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What causes bedsores and pressure sores?
People develop bed sores when they don’t receive adequate medical attention. This results in an open wound and irritated skin patches that are caused by friction or unrelieved/prolonged pressure.
Although a bed sore can develop almost anywhere, the most common areas of the body to develop them are:
- the backside
- the buttocks
- heels
- ankles
- hips
- the head
Can I sue for bedsores?
Why are some people at risk for bedsores or pressure sores?
Anyone who relies on heathcare staff to reposition them is at greater risk since failure to do this can cause bedsores to develop.
Even for elderly and immobile patients, bedsores are completely preventable if the staff uses proper precautions and ensures that residents receive adequate care.