top 10 pressure sore precautions ignored

Most pressure sores can be prevented, and those which have formed need not necessarily get worse.  Each patient�s individual circumstances must be taken into consideration by the caregiver in order to develop a plan of care which will best assure the patient will not unnecessarily suffer from a pressure sore.  The following generally represent some of the precautions which health care providers should, but too often fail to undertake:

1.  An appropriate and thorough and systematic assessment must be made of the patient�s risk for developing a pressure sore;

2.  Appropriate periodic reassessment should be made of the patient�s risk;

3.  The patient should be bathed appropriately;

4.  The patient�s incontinence should be assessed and treated to assure that moisture on the skin does not contribute to the development of a pressure sore;

5.  Appropriate nutrition and hydration must be maintained;

6.  Repositioning of the patient should occur with a frequency to assure that the pressure is adequately relieved;

7.  Use of appropriate support devices should be maintained to relieve pressure from troublesome areas;

8.  Postural alignment, distribution of weight, balance and stability, and pressure relief should be considered when positioning persons in chairs or wheelchairs;

9.  Appropriate lifting devices and techniques should be used to assure that shear and friction related injuries are avoided;

10.  Education should be given to the patient, family, and caregivers on measures to be taken to avoid pressure sores, and appropriate documentation of such measures.

It is essential that healthcare providers take into account each individual's own unique set of risk factors in developing a plan of care for the patient.  Every individual is different, has different risk factors, and thus requires a customized plan of care.

If you believe that a nursing home may have failed to develop and implement a plan of care which incorporated these critical precautions, and such failure led to the development of one or more pressure sores, you should contact an attorney for further consultation.  Please feel free to contact our office using our toll-free number (888)922-2889 or by submitting a free case review request on this website.  We will discuss your case with you and answer any questions you may have.  We do not charge for this consultation.