What Are Stage 3 Bedsores?

Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, develop in stages, ranging from mild skin irritation to deep wounds exposing muscle and bone. A Stage 3 bedsore represents a critical stage of tissue damage that can lead to serious infections and long-term complications. In many cases, the development of Stage 3 bedsores in nursing home residents indicates neglect or abuse, as proper care can often prevent these painful wounds.

What Do Stage 3 Bedsores Look Like?

At this stage, the sore appears as a deep, open wound, often with a crater-like appearance. Key characteristics of Stage 3 bedsores include:

• Full-thickness skin loss: The outer layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis) are completely destroyed, exposing deeper layers of tissue.
• Tissue damage: The sore extends into the fatty tissue beneath the skin, potentially leading to necrosis (tissue death).
• Infection risk: Open wounds create a pathway for bacteria to enter the body, increasing the risk of infections such as cellulitis and sepsis.
• Foul odor and drainage: Stage 3 bedsores may produce pus or foul-smelling discharge, indicating an infection.

Without immediate medical intervention, Stage 3 bedsores can progress to Stage 4, where bones, muscles, and tendons become exposed, leading to life-threatening complications.

How Stage 3 Bedsores Relate to Nursing Home Abuse

Bedsores, particularly in advanced stages, are often preventable with proper care. Nursing homes are responsible for providing routine repositioning, skin assessments, and hydration to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers. When a resident develops Stage 3 bedsores, it often signals neglect or abuse due to insufficient care. Below are key ways in which these severe wounds indicate nursing home negligence:

Failure to Reposition Residents

Residents who are bedridden or use wheelchairs need to be repositioned regularly to relieve pressure on vulnerable areas such as the tailbone, heels, and hips. Nursing home staff should turn immobile patients every two hours.

Poor Hygiene and Wound Care

Nursing homes must keep residents’ skin clean and dry to prevent sores from worsening. Stage 3 bedsores can result from inadequate hygiene, where urine and feces cause skin breakdown. If wounds are not properly cleaned, dressed, and monitored, they can quickly become infected.

Malnutrition and Dehydration

Proper nutrition and hydration help the body maintain skin integrity and heal wounds. Nursing home residents who do not receive enough protein, vitamins, and fluids are more susceptible to developing severe bedsores. Malnutrition and dehydration are strong indicators of neglect in nursing homes.

Understaffing and Lack of Proper Training

Many nursing home neglect cases stem from understaffing, leaving caregivers overwhelmed and unable to attend to residents properly. Additionally, staff who are not trained in bedsore prevention and wound care may fail to recognize early warning signs, allowing Stage 3 bedsores to develop unchecked.

Ignoring Resident Complaints

Many residents express discomfort and pain when bedsores begin to form. However, in neglectful nursing homes, caregivers may ignore complaints, allowing ulcers to worsen.

Legal Recourse for Nursing Home Neglect

Families who discover that a loved one has developed Stage 3 bedsores in a nursing home should take immediate action. These injuries do not occur overnight and are a sign of serious neglect. Victims and their families may have legal grounds to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and wrongful death if severe bedsores contribute to fatal infections or complications.