Proper Bedsore Treatment From Nursing Homes
Treatment for bedsores from nursing homes focuses on relieving pressure, preventing infection, and promoting healing. Bedsores develop when prolonged pressure reduces blood flow, often affecting the heels, hips, ankles, and tailbone.
Risk factors include immobility, incontinence, malnutrition, spinal cord injuries, and vascular disease. Without proper care, bedsores can lead to severe infections and long-term complications.
Common nursing home bedsores treatment options include:
- Antibiotics to control infection
- Medical dressings to protect the wound
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Pain relievers to reduce discomfort
- Routine skin care to prevent further damage
- Saline (saltwater solution) or mild soap and water for cleaning
- Surgical grafts for deep wounds
- Vitamins and supplements to support healing
Bedsores are often preventable with proper care. When they develop in care facilities, it may be a red flag for nursing home neglect. Facilities should provide timely bedsore treatment to prevent serious complications.
If your loved one suffered from untreated bedsores in a nursing home, legal action may be an option.
The Nursing Home Abuse Center works with top attorneys across the nation. Together, they have recovered over $304 million for nursing home cases, like bedsores that could have been avoided.
Get a free case review right now to see if we may be able to help your family.
Fight back against nursing home abuse and neglect — start now with a free case review.
Start My Free Case Reviewor call (855) 264-6310
Treatment for Bedsores From Nursing Homes by Stage
Treatment methods vary depending on the stage of the bedsore. Early-stage sores may heal with basic wound care, while advanced cases need medical intervention.
Image above shows the different stages of bedsores.
Learn more about bedsore treatment from nursing homes for each stage.
Stage 1 Bedsore Treatment Options
At this stage, a caregiver or loved one may still be able to treat the bedsore. Stage 1 bedsores look pink or red, but there isn’t an open wound.
Treatment focuses on relieving pressure and protecting the skin by:
- Applying protective dressings to prevent further damage
- Cleaning the bedsores gently with saline or mild soap and water
- Keeping weight off the affected area
If a bedsore doesn’t improve within a few days, nursing home staff should closely monitor it and provide proper care to prevent it from worsening.
Stage 2 Bedsore Treatment Options
These are open wounds with a red or pink base. They may involve skin loss, blisters, or abrasions, making them more vulnerable to nursing home infections.
At this stage, nursing home staff should:
- Apply specialized dressings to protect the wound and promote healing
- Keep the wound clean with saline or mild soap and water
- Monitor for signs of infection, such as warmth, pus, or increased pain
- Relieve pressure by repositioning the resident regularly
Stage 2 bedsores require prompt medical attention. If a resident has one, nursing home staff should consult a wound care specialist or physician to prevent further damage.
Stage 3 Bedsore Treatment Options
At this stage, bedsores have broken through the skin’s deeper layers, creating open wounds that greatly increase the risk of infection. Proper treatment is essential to prevent serious complications.
To treat stage 3 bedsores, nursing home staff should:
- Administer antibiotics if there are signs of infection
- Apply advanced wound dressings to protect the sore and promote healing
- Clean the wound with saline or mild antiseptic solutions
- Offload pressure by repositioning the resident and using specialty mattresses
- Remove dead tissue through debridement if necessary
Stage 3 bedsores require medical intervention. Nursing home staff should coordinate with a health care provider to ensure the resident receives appropriate wound care.
Stage 4 Bedsore Treatment Options
This is the most severe stage, often exposing muscle, bone, or tendons. Immediate medical intervention is critical to prevent life-threatening complications from stage 4 bedsores.
The patient may need debridement, where a provider uses a scalpel to remove the dead tissue. The provider may then perform a skin graft to close the wound. Left untreated, stage 4 bedsores may cause serious complications.
Complications from stage 4 bedsores include:
- Bone and joint infections, including osteomyelitis
- Cellulitis (infection of the skin and connected soft tissues)
- Necrotizing fasciitis (a skin infection causing rapid tissue death)
- Sepsis (a life-threatening infection)
- Tissue damage
- Ulcers containing discolored debris (slough or eschar)
If a nursing home isn’t providing proper care, untreated bedsores can become excruciating and life-threatening, leaving families to deal with the emotional and financial burden of a preventable injury.
If your loved one suffered due to inadequate treatment, legal action may help you hold the facility accountable.
We work with experienced nursing home attorneys who help families in all 50 states. Do not wait — get a free case review today.
Fight back against nursing home abuse and neglect — start now with a free case review.
Start My Free Case Reviewor call (855) 264-6310Preventing Bedsores From Worsening During Treatment
Proper treatment for bedsores from nursing homes includes steps to stop bedsore symptoms from getting worse. Without the right care, even early-stage bedsores can deepen into painful, life-threatening wounds.
Caregivers should take these precautions while treating bedsores:
- Adjust the bed height to reduce friction and pressure on vulnerable areas
- Clean and dry the skin to prevent infection and irritation
- Ensure proper nutrition and hydration to support healing and strengthen skin
- Position residents correctly by using pillows or special cushions to relieve pressure
- Provide specialty mattresses or wheelchairs designed to reduce pressure on bony areas
- Reposition patients to keep blood flowing and prevent further skin breakdown
If a nursing home fails to follow these steps, bedsores can quickly worsen, leading to severe complications. Families may need to take action to ensure their loved one receives the care they deserve.
Bedsore Healing Tips
While bedsores take time to heal, the right care can promote recovery and reduce the risk of complications.
Here are 5 tips to support bedsore treatment from nursing homes:
- Clean the wound properly by using saline or water for open sores and gently patting the skin dry.
- Improve nutrition and hydration by ensuring adequate protein, calories, vitamins, and fluids to support skin repair.
- Manage pain effectively with prescribed pain relievers, especially for advanced-stage bedsores.
- Monitor for infection by watching for redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or foul odors.
- Protect fragile skin by using specialized sheets, cushions, or devices to reduce friction and pressure.
Proper care is essential to help bedsores heal and prevent them from worsening. If a bedsore isn’t improving, professional medical treatment may be necessary.
When to Get Professional Help for Bedsores
Early-stage bedsores can often be managed with proper care in a nursing home. However, advanced bedsores require professional medical treatment, especially if they are not healing or show signs of infection.
Seek immediate medical care if your loved one has:
- Changes in skin color that do not improve with repositioning
- Open sores that expose deeper layers of tissue
- Signs of infection, such as pus, swelling, or a foul odor
- Skin tenderness, warmth, or pain that worsens over time
Ignoring these warning signs of nursing home neglect can lead to serious complications, including life-threatening infections.
If a nursing home fails to provide timely treatment, legal action may help hold them accountable.
Do You Need a Formal Diagnosis for Bedsores to Get Treatment?
A formal diagnosis isn’t always required to start treatment for bedsores from nursing homes, but a health care professional should assess the severity.
Signs a bedsore needs medical treatment include:
- Open wound or dead tissue in the affected area
- Pain, tenderness, or burning sensations
- Skin discoloration that doesn’t fade when pressed
- Soft tissue infections like cellulitis
- Swelling, pus, or foul-smelling drainage
Early-stage bedsores (Stage 1 or 2) may be treated with pressure relief, wound care, and proper hygiene.
Advanced bedsores (Stage 3 or 4) require urgent medical attention, which may include infection control, debridement, or surgery.
Prognosis After Bedsore Treatment From Nursing Homes
The prognosis for bedsores with treatment depends on several factors, including when the wound was diagnosed, its severity, and its location on the body.
These 3 factors affect recovery:
- How soon treatment begins
- The depth and stage of the bedsore
- The patient’s overall health and circulation
Early-stage bedsores (stages 1 and 2) typically heal within weeks with proper care. Advanced bedsores (stages 3 and 4) may take many months to heal and often require surgery or intensive wound management.
Even after healing, the affected skin remains fragile and prone to future sores. Preventative measures, including regular repositioning and proper skin care, are essential to reducing the risk of recurrence.
When Is the Need for Bedsore Treatment a Sign of Neglect?
Bedsores in nursing homes can be a sign of neglect, especially if they progress to advanced stages.
Caregivers are responsible for repositioning residents, maintaining hygiene, and monitoring skin health to prevent these painful wounds.
However, understaffing, poor training, and lack of supervision can lead to inadequate care, allowing bedsores to develop and worsen.
If your loved one has untreated or severe bedsores, it may mean they are the victim of nursing home neglect, and legal help may be available.
Get Legal Help for Nursing Home Bedsores
Bedsores can become life-threatening without proper treatment. Infections, severe pain, and slow healing are common when nursing homes fail to provide the care residents need.
If a facility neglected your loved one’s bedsores, legal action may help you hold them accountable and secure compensation for medical expenses.
The Nursing Home Abuse Center works with experienced attorneys nationwide who have recovered over $304 million for nursing home abuse and neglect.
Taking action now can help ensure your loved one gets proper care. Find out if our legal partners can help you file a bedsore lawsuit to access the funds you deserve for treatment for bedsores from nursing homes.
Call us at (855) 264-6310 or get a free case review right now to get started.
Treatment for Bedsores From Nursing Homes FAQs
How do nursing homes treat bed sores?
Nursing homes treat bedsores by reducing pressure on the affected area, keeping the wound clean, and preventing infection.
Treatment for bedsores from nursing homes may include:
- Cleaning and dressing wounds to promote healing
- Providing antibiotics if an infection develops
- Removing dead tissue (debridement) in more advanced cases
- Repositioning residents regularly to relieve pressure
- Using special mattresses, cushions, or padding to protect the skin
Proper care can help prevent bedsores from worsening. If a facility fails to treat them, serious complications can occur. Bedsore treatment can be both lengthy and painful.
Call us at (855) 264-6310 right now to find out if we may be able to help you take legal action.
What is the fastest way to heal bed sores?
You can heal stage 1 and 2 bedsores within weeks if you frequently change positions, maintain good hygiene, and use cushions.
However, stage 3 and 4 bedsores may require specialized wound care. They may also take several months to heal.
Can untreated bedsores from nursing homes be life-threatening?
Yes, untreated bedsores from nursing homes can become life-threatening if they lead to severe infections like sepsis or osteomyelitis.
As bedsores progress, they can cause deep tissue damage, exposing muscle and bone. Without proper treatment, these complications may result in long-term health issues or even death.
Nursing homes are responsible for preventing and treating bedsores, and neglecting this duty can put residents at serious risk. If your loved one developed bedsores in a nursing home, you may be able to take legal action.
Call us at (855) 264-6310 or get a free case review right now to see if you can seek money through a lawsuit.
What is the best medication for bedsores?
The best medication for bedsores depends on the stage of the wound. Treatments may include antiseptic ointments, moisture barrier creams, hydrocolloid dressings, and pain medications.
