I guess a quick legal question please...hospitals and bedsores...

FIL developed a bedsore in one hospital a month ago, now second one in new hospital.

He has lost all control over limbs, so is bedridden and diabetic.

My father, a nurse, says that my dh has to go into hospital asap threatening a law suit, that then he will be treated better.

Honestly, dh and I know nothing about lawyers and malpractice. DH just wants to help stop the bedsores. My father said there is no excuse for them.

thanks

Re: I guess a quick legal question please...hospitals and bedsores...

i would def threaten to....i am a CNA and we HAVE to turn our patients every 2 hrs to avoid bedsores. They are NOT properly caring for him. They should be turning him to avoid them and if he is prone to getting them they should be turning him more often. there is NO excuse for a bedsore!!! Dont be afraid...def speak up

Re: I guess a quick legal question please...hospitals and bedsores...

thanks, sometimes my dad gets nutty

Re: I guess a quick legal question please...hospitals and bedsores...

Sorry about this. You need to open up a can of whoop azz immediatley. Not only should he be turned, he needs to lay on an air mattress because of his condition.

Bed sores happen though even if you do all of these things but constant turning and the air mattress is a big help.

Re: I guess a quick legal question please...hospitals and bedsores...

ITA-my Mom has been in the hospital/rehab since May on and off(most recently since July) She did get a bedsore even with the air mattress and turning, but it went away. Bedsores expose them to infections and can definitely help to make them sick. Call teh hospital and find out if they have a patient advocate. If not call and ask to speak to the social worker. if they can't help-call the nurse manager(there is one on every shift) and tell them in no uncertain terms that this needs to be addressed.

Re: I guess a quick legal question please...hospitals and bedsores...

I would go to the hospital and get the patient advocate ASAP. My great grandfather had this happen and they ended up having to amputate his legs because eventually gangreen set in. So I would be screaming mad over this. Your dad needs to be turned, special bedding, he needs therapy, and he needs someone advocating for him.

Re: I guess a quick legal question please...hospitals and bedsores...

I'm not sure that they can be 100% prevented BUT there is special precautions and protocol that they are supposed to be following to prevent (and take care of if one develops) bed sores. There are special mattresses, turning that they are supposed to do etc.

I would be in there talking to the charge nurse, doctors and risk management if you have to - to ensure that they are following procedures and what they are going to do to ensure that the ones he has don't get worse etc.

Re: I guess a quick legal question please...hospitals and bedsores...

Turning the person is crucial to prevent them but it's not 100% fool proof. Sometimes they cannot be prevented.

I would address it asap. If only to make sure you are watching what's going on.