Expert Opines on Infected Bedsores Developed by Nursing Home Resident

Case Overview

This case involves an elderly female who had become a resident of a retirement community after being diagnosed with dementia. The Plaintiff had been living at the nursing home for several months before family members began noticing signs of apparent neglect. In addition to signs of malnutrition, a number of large bedsores were noted by family members. These bedsores quickly became infected, prompting nursing home staff to take the Plaintiff to the hospital. At the hospital, the Plaintiff received antibiotics and wound debridement, however she eventually died. It was alleged that the nursing home had been grossly negligent in allowing the woman’s bedsores to progress to such an advanced stage without any apparent attempt at seeking medical care.

Questions to the Occupational Medicine expert and their responses

Do you routinely treat nursing home patients for wound care?

Throughout my career I have had tens of thousands of encounters with patients in nursing homes that have pressure sores. Part of my practice is to educate and oversee nursing home staff on treatment and prevention of pressure sores.

About the expert

This highly qualified Wound Care specialist received his medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. He went on to complete a Residency in General Surgery. This expert is board certified in Wound Care by the American Board of Wound Management. He is a member of several highly regarded professional organizations including the American Board of Wound Management and the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care. He is currently an independent contractor for a Wound Care group with whom he enjoys physician privileges at over 20 long term care facilities.