Stage 2 Bedsores

Posted On January 15, 2020 Bedsores,Nursing Home Abuse

In This Article

• Definition
• Appearance
• Prevention
• Treatment

Bedsores are usually the result of a person sitting or lying in the same position for extended periods of time. They are also called pressure sores, pressure ulcers, or decubitus ulcers. Due to a lack of mobility, the elderly are more likely to get bedsores, and this can be a sign of elder abuse and neglect. There are various stages of bedsores, and stage 2 indicates that the elderly person is not receiving the care they are entitled to. If your elderly loved one developed stage 2 bedsores as a result of neglect, speak with a compassionate Anaheim elder abuse attorney at Siegel Law.

What is a Stage 2 Bedsore?

Stage 2 bedsores are the next level of progression after stage 1 bedsores. This is the stage in which the skin is broken open or has worn away. Those who are suffering from stage 2 bedsores are at a much higher risk of contracting an infection than those with stage 1 bedsores.

What Does a Stage 2 Bedsore Look Like?

While stage 1 bedsores are typically identified as changes of color on the skin, stage 2 bedsores will be a little easier to identify. These sores are often red or pink, and the surrounding skin is usually red and irritated. The most common signs of stage 2 bedsores include:

• irritated skin
• pus or fluid in and around the irritated skin
• an intact or a ruptured blister
• redness or discoloration around the bedsore

Preventing Stage 2 Bedsores

The number one way to prevent stage 2 bedsores is to identify stage 1 bedsores and their causes. Stage 1 bedsores should be prevented from worsening into stage 2 bedsores. Stage 1 bedsores will generally heal within a few days with proper care, while stage 2 bedsores can take much longer to heal.

The best ways to prevent stage 2 bedsores is for nursing home attendants to:

• regularly move patients to new positions
• alleviate pressure on certain body parts by propping a person’s body with pillows
• change any inadequate bedding or mattress is
• continually check on at-risk patients, particularly those who lack mobility or have problems controlling their bladders in bowels

Stage 2 bedsores often develop due to negligent care by nursing home attendants. Family members of nursing home residents should regularly check for signs of bedsores when they visit.

How Are Stage 2 Bedsores Treated?

Treating stage 2 bedsores is similar to the treatment for stage 1 bedsores. The most important step is identifying that a bedsore is present and eliminating the causes of that bedsore. Bedsores are usually caused by pressure on certain parts of a person’s skin due to the lack of movement, a person’s age, or their health condition. Those treating stage 2 bedsores should:

• immediately dress the affected area with appropriate bandages
• remove all pressure from the affected area
• keep the affected area clean and dry
• keep the patient properly hydrated
• increase the person’s mobility and eliminate other causes of the bedsore
• maintain a nutritious diet for the person with the bedsore (particularly vitamins and minerals)
• inspect the affected area as often as possible

If necessary, a physician may need to prescribe antibiotics to treat any infection that has set in due to the bedsore.

Much of the treatment of bedsores will be left to nursing home attendants. They must not neglect those who have stage 2 bedsores, or the patient will progressively get worse and could develop stage 3 bedsores. With proper care, a stage 2 bedsore should heal within a few weeks. However, elderly residents who are in bad health or have diabetes may incur a longer healing period.