Bedsores & Pressure Ulcers in Florida Nursing Homes, Assisted Living facilities, & Group Homes

Why Bedsores Happen—and Why They’re Usually Preventable

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Bedsores (also called pressure ulcers, pressure injuries, or ulcers) form when constant pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin. They are common among residents who are immobile, confined to a wheelchair, or unable to reposition themselves. In Florida nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes, these wounds almost always signal inadequate supervision, poor hygiene, or delayed medical care. Left unchecked, bedsores can deepen, become infected, lead to sepsis, and even result in amputation or death.

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What Is a Bedsore?

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A bedsore begins as skin and underlying tissue break down from prolonged pressure. The injury may start with a reddish or purplish area that feels warm, then progress to an open wound. Without swift intervention, infection can spread into muscle or bone, making recovery slow and painful.

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What Causes Bedsores in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, and Group Homes?

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Facilities put residents at risk when they:

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• Fail to turn or reposition immobile residents every two hours

• Allow prolonged sitting in wheelchairs without pressure-relief cushions

• Neglect regular skin checks or ignore early redness

• Provide poor nutrition or hydration that slows healing

• Leave incontinent residents in wet and/or soiled linens

• Delay wound-care consultations or physician-ordered treatments

Can Bedsores Be Treated in Long-Term Care Settings?

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With proper wound care, many bedsores can heal, but recovery depends on the resident’s health and the quality of nursing care. Advanced sores often take months to close and may require surgical intervention. Untreated or poorly treated ulcers can progress to deep tissue loss, systemic infection, and life-threatening complications.

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Assessing Risk: The Braden Scale

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Florida facilities should use the Braden Scale to rate a resident’s sensory perception, moisture exposure, activity level, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear risk. Accurate, frequent reassessments help staff identify who needs aggressive prevention measures. Failing to update the Braden score after a change in condition violates standard nursing practice.

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How Can Facilities Prevent Bedsores?

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• Reposition residents at least every two hours, or per physician’s orders

• Use pressure-reducing mattresses and wheelchair cushions

• Keep skin clean, dry, and moisturized

• Provide protein-rich diets and adequate hydration

• Perform daily skin inspections and document any changes

• Train staff on early signs of skin breakdown and proper lifting techniques

Where Do Bedsores Most Commonly Develop?

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Typical pressure points include:

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• Tailbone and hips

• Lower back and spine

• Heels and ankles

• Shoulder blades

• Elbows and knees

• Back of the head

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What Are the 4 Stages of Bedsores?

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1. Stage 1: Red or discolored skin that may feel warm or itchy.

2. Stage 2: Partial-thickness skin loss; looks like a blister or shallow crater.

3. Stage 3: Full-thickness tissue loss with visible fat and a crater-like wound.

4. Stage 4: Extensive tissue loss exposing muscle, tendon, or bone; high infection risk.

A wound covered in slough or eschar is classified as “unstageable.” Deep tissue injuries may also appear purple or dark red beneath intact skin.

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Bedsores Are Often a Sign of Neglect

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When nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or group homes ignore care plans, skip repositioning schedules, or delay physician-ordered treatments, they can and should be held legally accountable for the pain and complications that follow.

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Contact FIDJ for a Free Case Review

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If your loved one developed bedsores in a Florida nursing home, assisted living facility, or group home, you deserve answers. Contact the experienced attorneys at FIDJ for a FREE case review.

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*The information contained herein is not medical advice.