Can a Stage 4 Pressure Sore Heal?

It seems unimaginable that a person living in a nursing home could develop a serious, life-threatening injury like a pressure ulcer due to neglectful care by the nursing home staff. Unfortunately, neglect in nursing homes happens frequently, and this mistreatment may go unnoticed until the resident is injured or hurt.

Pressure ulcers, also known as decubitus ulcers or bedsores, occur when patients—especially those who have limited mobility- are subjected to unrelieved pressure while in bed or in a wheelchair. Nursing home residents who do not receive turning and positioning and the proper daily interventions to prevent bedsores are at high risk. The law firm of Dalli & Marino is committed to helping victims and their families seek justice for these types of injuries and neglect.

What is a Pressure Sore?

Pressure sores result from unrelieved pressure on the skin, and they primarily occur in bedridden, wheelchair-bound, or otherwise immobile people. Because of this, nursing home residents are particularly susceptible to this type of injury.

Although nursing home staff are meant to assist residents who may be at risk of developing bedsores, understaffing is a common problem, coupled with a high turnover rate among employees. This combination can result in neglectful care that can leave nursing home residents extremely ill.

Understanding Stage 4 Pressure Sores

No one wants to think that their loved one is being neglected in a nursing home. Between life obligations and limited visitation times, you may only have the opportunity to see your loved one for a few hours at a time. It may not be easy to tell if your loved one is being abused, but you can learn to look for clues, like the presence and degree of pressure sores.

There are four stages of pressure sores:

• Stage 1: During this stage, blood flow is cut off from a point on the body where it comes in contact with a bed, wheelchair, or other piece of equipment or furniture. Stage 1 pressure sores are often red, itch, burn, and feel warm to the touch.
• Stage 2: A stage 2 pressure sore has more damage. It may appear as a blister or an open wound that is very painful.
• Stage 3: By stage 3, a pressure sore will appear crater-like because the wound is now affecting deeper levels of the skin.
• Stage 4: A stage 4 pressure sore is the most significant. This will look like a large, open, festering wound.

Stage 4 pressure sores are so significant they can lead to muscle, tendon, and even bone damage. Pressure sores that reach stage 4 are susceptible to serious infections which may even become life-threatening. It’s important to ask your loved one if you can check the points on their body where it meets their bed or wheelchair to see if a pressure sore is beginning to form.

Some of the most common places a person develops pressure sores are:

• Ankles
• Buttocks
• Back
• Elbows
• Heels
• Hips
• Tailbone

Pressure sores can begin forming within mere hours of being placed in a certain position. For this reason, continual assistance in moving into new positions is required to keep nursing home residents safe.

What Causes a Severe Pressure Injury?

There are a number of risk factors that can increase the likelihood of pressure injuries. These include:

• Malnutrition and dehydration. Not drinking enough water or gaining the necessary vitamins and nutrients leads to a weaker skin barrier.
• Obesity. The more weight placed on a pressure point, the higher the risk of developing a pressure sore.
• Immobility or low mobility. Patients who cannot move themselves without assistance are at greater risk of pressure sores.
• Diabetes. Diabetics who have recently undergone surgical procedures are at higher risk of developing pressure sores.
• Paralysis. Patients who are fully or partially paralyzed may develop pressure sores on the areas of their bodies that are immobile.
• Shear. The continual movement of a person’s skin against another surface can contribute to and exacerbate a pressure sore.
• Urinary incontinence. Pressure sores may also develop in areas where moisture is not quickly removed.
• Poor hygiene. Patients who are not given regular hygiene care are more likely to develop pressure sores.
• Age. Patients over the age of 70 are more likely to develop pressure sores due to weaker skin and lower mobility.
• Lack of sensory perception. Neurological conditions can cause a person to be unaware that there is too much pressure on one part of their body until it is too late.
• Understaffing. Nursing homes that are understaffed can lead to less patient care and the development of more pressure sores.

The development of a pressure sore, especially at an advanced age, can lead to infections that may even become life-threatening.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Pressure Sore?

Depending on the individual, pressure sores can begin to form within as little as two hours. In other cases, they may develop less quickly over a few days. Early-stage sores can take weeks to heal, assuming they are properly treated, while later stages can take months or even years.

What Does a Stage 4 Pressure Sore Look Like?

A stage 4 bedsore will look like an open wound. It may have a foul odor, ooze or drain fluid, and expose ligaments, bone, or muscle. The skin around the bedsore may appear black.

Will a Stage 4 Pressure Sore Heal?

It is possible for a stage 4 pressure sore to heal, but healing requires immediate, specialized treatment from a healthcare provider. In most cases, the patient will need surgery. This may include a surgical debridement to remove dead tissue. It may also involve a skin graft, which helps close the wound and allows it to heal faster. Some stage 4 pressure sores can take up to two years to thoroughly heal.

What are the Long-Term Complications of a Stage 4 Pressure Ulcer?

Stage 4 pressure ulcers that are left untreated can lead to serious complications. Infections can spread to the heart, blood, and bones and quickly become life-threatening. In some cases, pressure sores may be so large that they require limb amputation. Even if a pressure sore is treated, a person could experience a loss of enjoyment of life and may also develop secondary issues, like urinary tract infections.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Pressure Ulcer?

When pressure sore injuries occur in a nursing home, the nursing home itself is just one party that may be held liable. Administrative staff members who coordinate care for patients may also be at fault if they fail to assign enough coverage for their patients. Likewise, members of staff who turn a “blind eye” to mistreatment may also be held liable for nursing home abuse, pressure ulcers, and related injuries.

Speak with a Pressure Sore Lawyer at Dalli & Marino

Stage 4 pressure sores are an emergency. They require immediate medical attention to reduce the risk of life-threatening infection and/or loss of limb. Nursing homes that allow these types of injuries to occur must be held accountable for their negligent actions.

Contact the law firm of Dalli & Marino today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can put our experience to work to get you and your loved ones the justice they deserve.