Our California bed sore attorneys have learned that Texas Arlington Memorial Hospital was recently recognized for implementing a systematic program to reduce the number of patients with hospital-acquired decubitus ulcers

Also known as bed sores or pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcers can develop from unrelieved pressure due to lack of movement while lying in bed for extended periods of time. Decubitus ulcers are completely treatable if caught early. Unfortunately they are sometimes left unchecked due to negligent care in a hospital or nursing home, and our San Diego decubitus ulcer lawyers have successfully litigated numerous such cases on behalf of our clients. In severe cases, bed sores can be fatal.

The program at Memorial Hospital was able to reduce the number of pressure sores its patients were suffering from by 63%.  The facility accomplished this by taking the following steps:

• Identifying decubitus ulcers on all new admissions.

• Reducing use of diapers amongst patients.

• Encouraging all staff to look for and document decubitus ulcers, even in their earliest stages.

• Paying extra attention to patients who are bed bound or whose skin comes into contact with medical equipment like oxygen masks or tubing.

• Implementing daily skin checks and intensive, hospital-wide skin checks on a quarterly basis to help the facility keep accurate tabs on how well its wound prevention program is working.

When an elder care facility fails to follow generally accepted medical practices regarding skin care, the facility may be legally liable to the resident if such lack of care causes the resident to suffer from bedsores.  When bedsores are left untreated, a resident can suffer severe medical complications such as infection and/or death.  While no sum of money can justify the pain and suffering that one goes through when they are diagnosed with bedsores, our California pressure ulcer attorneys can help you in seeking a legal settlement or award to cover the additional medical costs that are often associated with this serious condition, as well as the pain and suffering involved.

With its main offices located in San Diego, the California decubitus ulcer attorneys of Berman & Riedel, LLP have successfully represented many clients throughout the state who were the unfortunate victims of bedsores do to the fault of an elder care facility.  The firm’s success is founded on the knowledge and experience of all of its elder abuse attorneys regarding issues related to bedsores and other examples of elder abuse and neglect..

If you would like to speak with a San Diego bed sores lawyer about the care that an elderly loved one is receiving, call Berman & Riedel, LLP today at (858) 350-8855 for an initial free consultation.  For more information about the firm’s San Diego pressure ulcer lawyers, past settlements and awards, and types of cases that the firm handles, visit Berman & Riedel, LLP’s main website at  www.preventelderabuse.com.