Nursing Expert Comments on Substandard Decubitus Ulcer Care

This case involves an elderly male patient who was admitted to a healthcare facility following a stroke. As a result of the stroke, the patient was left bed-bound and incapacitated, and was placed in the care of the Defendant facility. While under the care of the healthcare facility, the patient sustained numerous pressure sores. The skin lesions were noted by the nursing staff in charge of the patient’s care as redness, however their reports do did not accurately describe the sores as open wounds. Despite the fact that the facility was aware of the patient’s injuries, no measures were taken to address the patient’s sores. The lesions remained untreated until they developed into decubitus ulcers around the patient’s coccyx. As a result, the patient had been left with unhealing skin wounds that have required multiple surgeries.

Questions to the Nursing expert and their responses

Do you have experience in bed sore prevention protocol?

I am very familiar with pressure-related wounds, from their development to their treatment. I began my nursing career in wound care, and I currently serve as the Chief Nursing Officer at a major healthcare center, where it is my responsibility to ensure incidences like this do not occur.

What measures should be taken to ensure the skin integrity of bed-bound patients?

The fact that the facility was aware of the patient's condition and yet did nothing to address it is a blatant signal of negligence - both on the part of the nurses on staff and of the policies and procedures of the facility generally. The fact that the sores had progressed to such an advanced stage shows a sustained pattern of neglect.

About the expert

This expert has been practicing nursing for over 15 years. He holds a Master of Science in Nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist from Angelo State University, as well as an M.B.A in Healthcare from the University of Texas at Tyler. Currently, this expert is the Chief Nursing Officer of a major medical center, maintaining complete responsibility for a nursing department of 150 clinical staff. He successfully led his team through a Joint Commission full survey and acquired a Joint Commission Disease Specific Certification in Stroke Care. He reviews and analyzes clinical data to improve risk management, and has direct oversight of ancillary departments, including wound care, infection control, and radiology.

E-007744

Specialties:

Nursing