When families entrust the care of loved ones to nursing homes, it’s expected that they will receive the best care and attention. In the majority of cases, nursing homes provide excellent care and attentiveness to loved ones. However, there are many nursing home residents who experience neglect and suffer from injuries in unsafe, unmonitored environments.
One particular area where nursing home neglect can result in devastating consequences is wound care. Proper wound care is essential in nursing homes to prevent health complications, promote healing, and improve residents’ lives. When nursing homes fail to provide adequate professional wound care, it can lead to injuries, serious infections, prolonged healing times, and even death.
Below we discuss why proper wound care saves lives, as well as signs of neglect in nursing home wounds, how to report neglect at a nursing home, and how experienced nursing home neglect attorneys can support you as you protect the rights of vulnerable elders.
Common Wound Care Failures in Nursing Homes
- Inadequate training or supervision — Nursing home staff may not have the necessary training and/or supervision to properly assess, clean, and dress wounds. This can result in improper care, leading to infection and delayed healing.
- Neglect — When wounds are left untreated or not monitored properly, it can lead to infection, tissue damage, and even amputation in severe cases.
- Malnutrition and dehydration — When residents fail to receive proper nutrition or adequate hydration, it can have severe consequences including hindered wound healing, bedsores, and infections.
- Lack of medical resources — Nursing homes may not have the necessary supplies or equipment to properly care for wounds. This can include a lack of appropriate dressings, cleaning solutions, or basic hygiene products.
- Failure to reposition or turn — Some patients need to be turned or repositioned every few hours to relieve pressure on areas of their body. Failure to do this as needed can result in pressure ulcers or bedsores.
- Insufficient incontinence management — Moisture from urine and feces significantly increases the risk of skin breakdown and exacerbates existing wounds.
Why Proper Wound Care Saves Lives
Proper wound care isn’t only about patient healing and comfort — it’s a life-sustaining measure that can prevent many health complications down the road. Taking care of wounds properly prevents infections that can ultimately lead to sepsis. When wounds are neglected — even small ones — they can become much worse in a short span of time. Severe wounds increase pain, limit patients’ mobility, and can result in painful treatments, surgery, or even amputation in extreme cases.
Proper wound care can prevent residents from requiring hospitalization, which can be traumatizing for some seniors. Adequate, professional wound care reduces pain, improves mobility, and allows the patient to improve their quality of life in the nursing home.
Signs of Neglect in Nursing Home Wounds
If your loved one is a nursing home and you notice any of the following red flags, take immediate action:
- Infection
- Delayed healing
- Deteriorating/worsening wounds
- Pain and discomfort
- Tissue damage
- Poor hygiene
- Lack of appropriate medical supplies
- Dirty or stained dressings
- Lack of documented care plan or treatments
- Dismissive staff
Legal Options for Wound Care Neglect
If you have any suspicions that your loved one is suffering from wound care neglect in a nursing home, legal options are available. A qualified, experienced team of nursing home neglect lawyers like Zelenitz, Shapiro & D’Agostino can help hold the nursing home legally responsible for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Legal options include a nursing home neglect lawsuit, medical malpractice claims, and wrongful death claims.
While legal action cannot undo the harm caused to a loved one, it can hold negligent nursing home facilities accountable, potentially compensate the victim or family for damages, and prevent similar neglect from happening to other residents.
How to Report Nursing Home Negligence
If you suspect that a family member or loved one in a nursing home is suffering from wound care neglect, it’s important to report it right away. Make sure to document any signs of neglect or red flags. Take photos of wounds and note the date and time. Make notes of every staff member you have a conversation with.
The first line of defense is the nursing staff or director of nursing at the facility. If they do not resolve the issue, address the facility administrator. If the neglect still isn’t resolved, report it to your state’s Department of Health or nursing home licensing agency. If your complaints are unresolved, get advice on your legal rights and options from a nursing home injury attorney.
Families are the first line of defense for residents who may be unable to advocate for themselves. Nursing homes who fail to provide adequate wound care must be held accountable for residents’ neglect. Contact Zelenitz, Shapiro & D’Agostino at 718-523-1111 or request a free consultation today and we’ll fight for your loved one’s rights.