What Is a Stage 3 Bedsore?
A stage 3 bedsore, also known as a grade 3 pressure sore, has burrowed past the dermis (the skin’s second layer) and reached the subcutaneous tissue (fat layers) beneath.
Bedsores are also called pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, according to medical sources. They are broken down into four stages based on their severity.
Stage 3 pressure ulcers pose a high risk of infection and can take months to heal. Some pressure sores may even progress to the fourth and most dangerous stage without proper treatment.
Nursing homes that hire enough staff and train them properly can avoid most causes of stage 3 bedsores. So, if a resident develops a stage 3 bedsore, it may be due to negligence, and a skilled nursing home neglect lawyer may be able to help.
If your loved one experienced stage 3 bedsore complications while in a nursing home, taking legal action may allow you to get justice for their suffering.
The Nursing Home Abuse Center partners with top attorneys across the country who have recovered over $280 million for nursing home claims.
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Causes of Stage 3 Bedsores
Bedsores form when blood flow to the skin is cut off, causing healthy tissue to die and an abrasion (open wound) to appear. The longer the bedsore is left untreated, the deeper the wound may become.
Stage 3 pressure ulcers occur when stage 2 bedsores fail to heal, and the sore deepens into the patient’s skin.
Nursing home residents are at risk of bedsores if they sit or lie in the same position for long spans of time, which restricts blood flow and causes skin cells to die.
While all nursing home residents with limited mobility may be vulnerable to advanced-stage bedsores, some residents have an especially high risk.
Residents at higher risk of stage 3 pressure ulcers include those with:
- Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
- Casts restricting movement
- Circulation and blood flow issues
- Diabetes affecting wound healing
- Health problems from malnutrition
- Spinal cord injuries limiting mobility
However, stage 3 pressure ulcers can usually be prevented even in high-risk patients. It’s the duty of nursing home staff members to identify these risk factors in residents and take steps to prevent bedsores from forming.
Nursing Home Neglect and Stage 3 Bedsores
When a lack of care causes a resident to develop a stage 3 pressure ulcer, nursing home neglect may have occurred.
Sadly, poorly trained or inattentive staff can provide consistently poor care to residents, which can lead to bedsores. Managing stage 3 bedsores in nursing homes is essential to protect the health of vulnerable residents.
Nursing home neglect often goes hand-in-hand with another issue: understaffing in long-term care facilities. When there are fewer staff members, residents may have to wait long hours before their health care needs are addressed.
In chronically understaffed nursing homes, care problems can go unresolved for months — making it more likely for bedsores to develop.
Understaffing often leads to stage 3 bedsores, as caregivers are:
- Delayed in noticing and treating early-stage bedsores
- Forced to neglect regular care for every resident
- Unable to reposition residents frequently enough
A stage 3 ulcer can be excruciating and cause great suffering. Complications can even lead to death.
If you or a loved one was harmed, a skilled personal injury lawyer who focuses on nursing home neglect can help you understand your legal rights.
Get started right now by finding out if you can file a bedsore lawsuit.
Symptoms of Stage 3 Bedsores
Stage 3 bedsore symptoms include a deep, reddish crater that has extended through all skin layers, reaching the fat tissue beneath.
Dead tissue (slough) may appear within the wound, and the area is at high risk of infection, potentially progressing to sepsis — a deadly condition caused when bacteria spread into the bloodstream.
Signs of a stage 3 bedsore include:
- Bad odor coming from the sore
- Black tissue in or around the sore
- Fever
- Green drainage and/or pus
- Redness around the sore’s edges
Below is what stage 3 bedsore symptoms can look like.
Because a stage 3 decubitus ulcer is an open wound, infections can easily set in, inviting bacteria into the body and causing complications in the healing process.
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Diagnosing a Stage 3 Bedsore
A medical professional relies on a bedsore’s appearance to diagnose its stage.
Stage 3 pressure ulcers have the following characteristics:
- Black or rotten outer edges
- Crater-like indentation
- Dead, yellowish tissue
- Visible fat tissues
Stage 3 bedsores are quite deep, but tendons, ligaments, muscles, and/or bones will not be visible. If they are, the patient likely has a stage 4 bedsore.
Two complications may delay a stage 3 pressure ulcer diagnosis:
- Deep tissue injuries: A deep tissue injury occurs when there is no open wound, but the tissues beneath a patient’s skin are damaged.
- Unstageable injuries: If a doctor can’t see the base of the sore due to slough (dead tissue) or eschar (scabs) in the wound bed, they can’t make a diagnosis.
Even if a bedsore cannot be staged, doctors can still recommend treatments to start the healing process.
Stage 3 Bedsore Prognosis
A prognosis is an expected health outcome of a medical condition. The prognosis for a stage 3 pressure ulcer is worse than the lower stages but still fairly decent — they typically take 1-4 months to heal.
However, stage 3 bedsores can be life-threatening if left untreated. Stage 3 bedsores may progress to stage 4 bedsores, reaching ligaments and exposing bone. Infections associated with bedsores can even trigger sepsis, which can be fatal.
Doctors can provide a more accurate prognosis based on the specifics of each patient’s case.
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Stage 3 Bed Sore Treatment
With stage 3 pressure ulcer treatment, wound care is essential to start the healing process. Anyone with stage 3 bedsores should be seen by a doctor right away.
Stage 3 bedsore treatment options include:
- Antibiotics to fight infection
- Debridement — the surgical removal of dead tissue
- Special beds to help with recovery
- Taking pressure off of the bedsore
Grade 3 pressure sore treatment can be difficult because deep sores often require surgery and heal slowly. That said, it’s important to seek treatments because the alternatives — a risk of stage 4 bedsores or life-threatening infections — are much worse.
How to Prevent Stage 3 Bedsores
Stage 3 pressure ulcers can usually be prevented by treating the earlier stages of bedsores.
When an older adult lives in a nursing home, staff members are responsible for preventing bedsores and likely have protocols in place to do so.
Nursing home staff and caregivers can help prevent bedsores by:
- Contacting a doctor if a bedsore does not heal quickly
- Keeping residents mobile
- Making sure residents are well-fed and hydrated
- Regularly repositioning residents with mobility issues
- Treating early-stage bedsores as soon as possible
Family members can also play a key role in preventing bedsores among nursing home residents. For example, loved ones can regularly check up on the resident and note their overall physical health.
Speak to facility staff or a local long-term care ombudsman if you notice signs of bedsores to make sure they are addressed. Remember, nursing home staff are trained to keep residents safe from bedsores — not to make them worse.
Consider reaching out to a medical professional if you’re concerned about your loved one’s well-being.
If they’ve suffered severe injuries from a bedsore, you may want to consult with a legal professional to pursue justice.
Legal Compensation for Stage 3 Bedsores
Stage 3 pressure sores, like most nursing home injuries, are largely preventable with proper care. If your loved one developed severe bedsores in a nursing home, it may be the result of nursing home abuse or neglect.
Thousands of families file lawsuits against nursing homes each year. The best way to find out if you can sue for a stage 3 bedsore is to contact a nursing home lawyer.
The Nursing Home Abuse Center partners with top nursing home attorneys who can help families in all 50 states. Together, they have recovered over $280 million for nursing home abuse and neglect.
Find out if our legal partners can help you file a stage 3 bedsore lawsuit to access the funds you need for your loved one’s care.
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Stage 3 Bedsore FAQs
What are the signs and symptoms of a stage 3 bed sore?
Identifying a stage 3 bed sore early can make a significant difference in treatment success.
The following signs can help you recognize a stage 3 bedsore:
- Visible tissue damage: The sore has a crater-like appearance with visible tissue loss. Fat tissue may be visible, but not bones, tendons, or muscles.
- Drainage and odor: A stage 3 bedsore may have clear, yellowish, or green drainage, and it can develop an unpleasant odor if infected.
- Pain and redness: The area around the sore may look red and feel warm or tender, indicating inflammation.
- Wound edges: Edges may appear rolled or curved inward, with a deeper wound base that could contain yellowish, dead tissue (slough).
If you notice these symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical attention to prevent the sore from progressing to a more severe stage.
You may also be able to sue the nursing home for neglect. Stage 3 bedsores can cause excruciating pain and are never acceptable.
Call us at (855) 264-6310 right now to find out if we can help you take legal action.
What’s the difference between a stage 3 and a stage 4 bedsore?
The difference between a stage 3 bedsore vs. stage 4 bedsore is the extent of tissue damage.
A stage 3 bedsore affects the tissue beneath the skin, often appearing as a deep crater but doesn’t reach muscle, bone, or tendons.
In contrast, a stage 4 bedsore extends into deeper layers, including muscle, bone, or tendons, and requires intensive treatment due to a higher risk of infection.
The important thing to remember is that advanced bedsores are almost always avoidable, which means they are often due to neglect.
If you or a loved one developed a stage 3 bedsore in a nursing home, you may be able to sue for nursing home neglect.
Get a free case review right now to find out if we can connect you with our trusted legal partners.
What is the life expectancy of a stage 3 bedsore?
Stage 3 bedsore life expectancy varies based on timely treatment and the individual’s overall health.
While a stage 3 bedsore itself is not directly life-threatening, complications like infections can impact health and recovery, especially in older adults or frail individuals.
If you or a loved one developed stage 3 bedsores while in any type of nursing facility, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Stage 3 pressure sore treatment can be both lengthy and costly. If a loved one tragically passes, funeral expenses can add unexpected financial strain. Suing a negligent nursing home may help you access needed funds.
Call the Nursing Home Abuse Center at (855) 264-6310 or get a free case review right now to find out if we can help your family.
How long does a stage 3 pressure ulcer take to heal?
Stage 3 wound healing varies, but with proper care, it can take several weeks to months for a stage 3 pressure ulcer to heal.
Stage 3 bedsore healing time depends on factors like:
- Age of patient
- Effectiveness of wound care
- Overall health
Generally, wound care that involves regular cleaning, dressing changes, and reducing pressure on the sore will allow for faster healing.
How do you treat stage 3 bedsores?
Stage 3 pressure injury treatment involves a comprehensive and personalized approach.
These are common treatments for stage 3 bedsores:
- Regular cleaning
- Specialized dressings
- Reducing pressure on the affected area
Medical professionals may also recommend antibiotics if there’s an infection and use advanced therapies like debridement to remove damaged tissue.
How bad is a grade 3 pressure sore?
A grade 3 pressure sore is considered serious. At this stage, the sore has extended through the skin and into deeper tissues, creating an open wound that resembles a deep crater.
While it hasn’t yet reached muscle or bone, it poses a high risk for infection and requires medical attention to manage and promote healing effectively.
