A female patient at a nursing home became bedridden following a hip fracture. After being transferred to a facility closer to her family, her relatives discovered a severe, unstageable pressure ulcer on her lower back. The nursing records indicated that the staff failed to perform regular skin assessments and did not implement a care plan to address the patient’s limited mobility. Additionally, there was no documentation of turning protocols or other preventive measures to avoid pressure ulcers.
Alarmingly, it was the patient’s family who first identified the pressure ulcer, which had likely formed weeks or even months earlier. The patient was subsequently transferred to a local hospital with a serious infection, which unfortunately led to her death. Our firm was hired to represent the woman’s estate, and through our efforts, we secured a favorable settlement early in the litigation process.
Type of Medical Malpractice: Failure to Prevent and Treat Pressure Ulcer in Nursing Home
Standard of Care Issues:
- Regular and thorough skin assessments for immobile patients
- Implementation of a comprehensive care plan for high-risk individuals
- Preventive measures, such as turning schedules and pressure-relief protocols