As nursing home abuse attorneys, we have been posting a series of tips to help the prevention of nursing home abuse and bed sores. Our last few posts concerned the nursing home patient’s need for proper nutrition and hydration, as well as the importance of repositioning. Today’s bed sore tip once again deals with proper positioning of the nursing home patient to prevent a painful and often deadly bed sore. As we have indicated in the past, “Prevention is always the best medicine when it comes to preventing bed sores and pressure ulcers in nursing homes.”
Tip #10: Proper Pressure Redistribution
The 9th tip for the prevention and treatment of bed sores involves making sure that the patient is using the proper materials and mattresses for proper pressure-redistribution. Long term care residents should be using pressure-redistribution mattresses and chair cushion surfaces. 
These surfaces typically have layers that help provide optimal immersion and comfort for the nursing home patient. These surfaces are designed to have independent zones to provide the correct pressure for each weight range. These surfaces are designed, in fact, to help aid in both the prevention and the treatment of bed sores and pressure ulcers. Redistribution of surface pressue is very important as the pressure causes the small blood vessels in the skin to collapse, which deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients, causing them to die. Nursing homes should avoid using donut-type devices and most sheepskin products for pressure redistribution. Staff members should be aware of the need for proper surfaces. Not using the proper surface for patients is tantamount to nursing home abuse. The use of the proper pressure-redistributing surfaces along with proper repositioning may be two of the most important bed sore prevention tips that all families should be aware of and vigilant to for the well being of their loved ones.
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia
If your loved is a resident at a nursing home, and you believe that the treatment they are receiving is below standard, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. We are skilled in earning compensation for families whose loved ones have been mistreated by nursing homes or long term care facilities. You may also call for free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.