A resident at the Meadowbrook Manor in Bolingbrook, Illinois acquired multiple bed sores while at the facility. Eventually, the bed sore achieved a Stage 4 designation, the worst of the four stages used to evaluate bed sores.
There are few more obvious signs of nursing home neglect than the bed sore. Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers and decubitus ulcers, are injuries that are often localized to one or more specific parts of the body. The word bed sore might sound innocuous. It is anything but.
A Stage 4 bed sore is an open wound that frequently extends to the bone. They are extremely painful and often prove fatal because of underlying infections. In addition to their physical effect, bed sores are emotionally punishing for the victim and their family. As an Illinois nursing home attorney, I’ve spoken with nursing home residents who have had broken bones, illness, and many other conditions. Nothing is as damaging to the psyche as a bed sore.
The major contributing factors to bed sores are common components to nursing home neglect. Being left in one position for an extended period of time, dehydration and malnutrition, and damp, unsanitary conditions are the most commonly associated caused of bed sores.
The resident at Meadowbrook Manor in Bolingbrook was observed lying in a bed. He had been incontinent, and was left sitting in fecal matter. One of his facility acquired bed sores was on his tailbone, making it highly likely that residual fecal matter was in contact with the open wound. He was also not wearing any heel protectors even though a second bed sore had formed on his heel.
A second resident at Meadowbrook Manor to develop bed sores had been admitted to the facility after suffering a stroke. A family member of the resident told investigators “after she had a stroke she basically stayed in bed or in her chair (regular adult reclining chair) for 12 hours.” She stated that after the bed sore was originally found (a Stage 2 that developed into a Stage 3) Meadowbrook Manor staff began to readjust her more often but “it’s too little too late.”
One of our core beliefs is that nursing homes are built to fail due to the business model they follow and that unnecessary injuries and illnesses and wrongful deaths of residents are the inevitable result. Order our FREE report, Built to Fail, to learn more about why. Our experienced Chicago nursing home lawyers are ready to help you understand what happened, why, and what your rights are. Contact us to get the help you need.
Other blog posts of interest:
Resident sustains serious burn at Meadowbrook Manor
Resident falls from wheelchair at Meadowbrook Manor
Meadowbrook Manor resident falls and breaks ribs
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