Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys often represent clients who have been harmed due to nursing home neglect or abuse. Many of these patients suffer from painful pressure ulcers, also knows as bed sores, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers. The most important factor to note in this type of case is that these sores can almost always be prevented or successfully treated. In Illinois, nursing home negligence lawyers are working hard to educate families before their loved one suffers needlessly.

It is important that an at-risk resident be maintained with proper hydration and nutrition. A resident confined to (or allowed to remain in) a bed or wheelchair who cannot turn or reposition themselves must be turned or repositioned by staff every two hours. Pressure relieving mattresses and special mattresses that automatically reposition the resident every two hours may also be used.

Numerous medical articles have identified those most at risk for the development of pressure ulcers. These include elderly persons, the chronically ill, the immobile, the weak or debilitated, residents with altered mental status and residents who are incontinent.

Pressure ulcers are generally preventable and avoidable. The basic treatment of decubitus ulcers is prevention. Prevention requires adequate numbers of skilled staff ensuring proper pressure relieving devices are utilized, proper nutrition and hydration is maintained and that the resident remain clean.

The most important factor in the development of pressure sores in unrelieved pressure. Friction (skin against sheets) is another known cause. Wheelchair bound residents must be trained in proper repositioning techniques. Additionally frequent thorough assessment must occur. The Braden and Norton scales are two commonly utilized assessment protocols.

For more information on preventing Illinois nursing home neglect and resulting bed sores and pressure ulcers, contact an experienced Illinois nursing home negligence lawyer as soon as possible.

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