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Preventing Pressure Sores*
Pressure Sore Ulcers: Prevention and treatment
Here at Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors we have a specialist team dealing with pressure sores also commonly referred to as pressure ulcers and bed sores.
Pressure sores can develop very quickly in some people if the person is unable to move for even a very short time; sometimes within an hour. Without care, pressure sores can be very serious. They can damage not just the skin, but also deeper layers under the skin.
Pressure sores may cause pain or mean a longer stay in hospital. Severe pressure sores can destroy the muscle or bone underneath the skin, so they can take a very long time to heal. In extreme cases, pressures sores can become life threatening, as they can become infected, and sometimes cause blood poisoning or bone infections.
Health care professionals are expected to utilize a variety of techniques in order to prevent the development of pressure sores including:-
- Keeping moving; one of the best ways of preventing a pressure sore is to reduce or relieve pressure areas that are vulnerable and this is best done by moving around and changing position as much as possible. If you have or are at risk developing a pressure sore the health care professional should work with the patient to find ways to assist movement and change of position. Movement should be monitored and the health care professional should consider whether sitting time should be restricted to less than 2 hours.
- Mattresses and cushions; there are many different types of mattresses and cushion that can help reduce the pressure on bony parts of the body and help prevent pressure ulcers. If a patient is at risk or has a grade 1 or 2 sore the minimum provision is a high specification foam mattress.
- Skin assessment;a patient’s skin should be assessed regularly to check for signs of pressure sore development.
- Self care; a health care professional should teach the patient and/or carer how to redistribute their weight. They should also encourage skin inspection and how to notice possible signs of damage.
- A good diet; eating well and drinking enough water is very important. It is particularly important for people at risk of developing a pressure sore or those with a pressure sore as their condition can get worse or fail to get better.
If you or a family member have suffered a pressure sore it is our opinion that the cause should be investigated to assess whether reasonable measures were taken to inhibit the development of what is an increasingly common but generally preventable injury.
CONTACT THE PRESSURE SORE CLAIMS EXPERTS
If you or a family member / friend have suffered a pressure sore whilst under the care of a health professional, whether that be in a hospital or a care home you or they may be entitled to compensation.
Here at Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors we have a specialist team dealing with pressure sore cases. To discuss a Bed Sore Claim or any other Personal Injury or Medical Negligence claim, please contact us for a FREE initial consultation on 0151 236 5000 or 020 8209 0166 and ask to speak to Richard Malloy or Amy Bennett.
Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected] or visit our specialist Pressure Sore Claims Website for further information at www.pressuresoreclaims.comand fill out our online contact form and we will contact you directly.
*Nice Guideline 29 – issued September 2005