Hospital Patient Bed

Bed Sores injury highlights negligence

It is accepted that if pressure sores develop, due to a failure on the part of a hospital or care home, to follow appropriate risk assessments/care plans that this may well constitute negligent / substandard medical care. Something which should not happen under today's stricter health and safety policies.

What are Pressure Sores?

Pressure Sores are areas of the skin that become damaged and unhealthy due to consistent pressure applied, this is often found in bed ridden patients.

Initially the skin may become red and sore, and subsequently over what may be a relatively short period of time, it may become inflamed,and change to a darker hue, and become increasingly painful. If these complications develop and are not identified and managed promptly, it is more likely than not that further problems will develop - to include blistering of the skin, and the development of significant infections (both localised and systemic).

It is possible for serious damage to occur to the area beneath the skin and occasionally death could occure from resulting infections. There may be continuing care needed due to the sustained injury and possibly plastic surgery.

Prevention

It is accepted that it is good nursing practice to manage a patients bed posture which in turn will reduce the possibility of the onset of pressure sores. Correct assessment on admission is vital and continual management and monitoring essential to the well being of the patient.

Wheelchair users and bed bound patients are at risk of pressure sore injury, and that would include patients within an NHS or private hospital, elderly or ill patients admitted to nursing care homes or care homes residences. Parts of the body most prone to pressure sore injury are: hips, buttocks, heels, ankles, elbows and the rear of the head.

An important function of Nursing staff to ensure that a patients are not left in one position for several hours by turning them at regularly. It is also essential to ensure that patients are well hydrated and nourished to make them less vulnerable to pressure sores and other infections.

Clinical Negligence

With clear and defined nursing care guidelines it is fair to say that if a patient develops pressure sores, it could be due to negligence on the part of the treating clinicians / nursing staff at the time of the initial patient assessment, or subsequently during the later management / treatment especially if there has been a failure to follow appropriate nursing care plans.

At most at risk are those with long term care conditions such as dementia and those with reduced mobility such as patients with spinal injuries.

Making a Clinical Negligence Claim with an Expert Lawyer

When making a legal claim it is important to have experienced lawyer dealing with it. For further information about making a compensation claim for medical negligence visit http://www.pressuresores.co.uk

About the Author

UK Residents Can Potentially

When buying electric hospital beds, UK consumers have a wide variety of options. Within the grouping of adjustable bed frames, for example, there are lots of choices. Infirmities, price range, and comfort are several of the reasons why you want the type of bed you’d like.

Available Electric Bed Frame Options

Three forms of hospital bed frames are available: manual, full-electric, and semi-electric. Hand cranks are utilized to operate manual beds. Everything, from raising or lowering the bed to adjusting one part or another, is done by hand. As one might anticipate, this type of adjustable bed frame is the least expensive, but has the significant downside that the occupant of the bed must depend on another person if he or she wants to modify the bed's position. Semi-electric hospital beds are a fine compromise between expense and capability. Electronic controls raise and lower each part of the bed. The height of the bed is managed via a hand crank. Fully electric hospital beds are totally automated and complete all functions with the touch of a button. In the event of a power outage semi electric and full electric hospital beds can be altered manually.

Available Electric Hospital Bed Options

Adjustable and hi-low beds are the two types of electric hospital beds. These beds have a custom mattress along with a motorized electric frame. The bed’s motor lets you move the bed into any comfortable position. with hi-low beds, you can alter the bed’s height. These beds are convenient for using a lift to move patients to and from the bed. Mattresses for both types of bed are available in inner spring and foam. Visco-elastic and latex are the two categories of foam mattresses.

Accessories for Electrically Powered Hospital Beds

The most basic accessory required for a hospital bed is an over-bed table. Thanks to the ability for the various parts of the frame and table to slide into certain positions, patients can sit up and read or eat more easily. There are several types of over-bed tables including one with an in-built easel that supports a book or magazine at a comfortable angle for easy reading. Some people may opt for options like in-built massage or perhaps memory foam or latex foam pillows. For prime head and neck support, you can always use a cervical pillow.

The abundant choice available in electric hospital beds in the UK lets caregivers to pick the proper option for their patients.

Patients in hospital beds are rotated every 2 hours to prevent bedsores. Exactly why is this effective?

Moving the patient will relieve pressure on the skin, which is the major cause of skin breakdown.When in a single position for to long the circulation slows and fluids may build up in areas of pressure. There are many points of pressure when lying down. Especially the heels, elbows, inner knees, buttocks and shoulders. Positioning should be done frequently and a variety of cushions and pillows are available. also available are air mattresses that fluctuate pressure to assist in relief.

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