[cj_kennedy]

SHOULD HEADS ROLL OVER DEATHS FROM BEDSORES?
9th November 2008

UP to 1,000 sick and frail pensioners are dying from untreated bedsores every year, shock figures have revealed.
The problem, until now hidden among NHS records, has echoes of Britain’s MRSA scandal, first exposed nearly a decade ago.

The figures reveal that in the five years to 2006 a total of 4,708 people in hospitals and care homes have died partly or completely because of blood poisoning caused by infected pressure sores.

But experts say the figures represent only the tip of the iceberg because in many cases pressure sores are not recorded on death certificates if they are only contributory causes of death.

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam and Liberal Democrat champion of the elderly, who uncovered the figures, said: “This is an entirely avoidable tragedy for families and this issue has until now been an unmarked and hidden scandal in our hospitals and care homes.

“It is deeply worrying so many vulnerable older people are suffering from these painful and grotesque sores that can ultimately cause death.”

So do you think someone should be blamed for this inadequate treatment in hospitals and care homes?

Have you had any experience of this negligence yourself?

Do you think heads should roll for this?

Source
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/70267/...-from-bedsores-

[doublelibra]

This is sad and outrageous. Legislation is needed to make facilities liable for bedsores. In places where this is the law, incidence of such sores in facilities decreases dramaticaly.

[catmint]

Hi

I find it interesting that the first line in the report talks about sick and frail pensioners dying from untreated bedsores. Therin lies the problem. They should not be allowed to develop in the first place but (imo) most health proffessionals have no idea of how to prevent them from occuring.

Put the words pensioner and bedsores in the same article and most people stop reading..after all we're not going to get old are we? and bedsores,well thats for people who lie in bed all day isn't it?

I think the word Bedsore should be banned . Instead "we" should be educated about Pressure Sores and the fact that pressure sores can and do effect people of any age and in lots of different ways.

[doublelibra]

I agree, Catmint. Bedsore is a poor term to use.

[Scribbler]

Of course heads should roll but the cynic in me knows none will and none ever do.

Just look at the latest Bank Fiasco where the Chairman, who'd just received around £3.5 Million bonus eventually resigned, with a £8.5 Million pension.. It obviously wasn't invested in the Bank he ran.

Its usually the little people who get punished; the Fat Cats get away with it.

That's the end of the Party Political Broadcast on behalf of the Angry Cynics Party.....

[airart1]

an obama wants the same kind of social medicine for us, man how insane..............what a horrible way to go, because of incompetence or no one even caring.............kinda a form of geneside if u ask me............

[Sammie]

I certainly feel there should be strong attention to this. I have a friend that was in the hospital for 16 separate breaks on 8 ribs, collapsed lung, a broken shoulder blade and injured t11 over new years. There were orders to put memory foam on his bed after day one did not happen until I did it myself as a visitor. There was another order on his chart (I am nosey when it comes to protecting my friends) to shift body pressure every hour to avoid bedsores. His wife and I did this also, and charted how many times in a 24 hour period it occured by the nursing staff. 2 at the most. If he had been in that bed any longer than he was, without family to do what the hospital staff was to do he would have broken down and had even more issues. Oh and the charts falsely stated that they had moved him put on the foam etc.
I also worked in long term care facilities and found that most the cna staff who are responsible for position changes do not do it, and chart that they did. I spent alot of time just popping into rooms and moving folks around whether I was assigned to them or not. I saw a woman actually die from an infected bed sore and she was 34.
There needs to be some way to make this happen. Docs cover their butts by writing the order, but there it is not enforced, checked out. If there is anything I can do to help address this let me know.

I think the word Bedsore should be banned . Instead "we" should be educated about Pressure Sores and the fact that pressure sores can and do effect people of any age and in lots of different ways.
[/quote]

I agree with you too Catmint, but it is kind of like calling a swab a q-tip- it has been called that for ever, even though the cause is from constant pressure. I think it would be more beneficial to fight the right fight- proper medical care that has accountability some how to avoid the deaths from miscare. You konw you dont have to be in a chair to have this issue- anyone ill for a long time, slow circulation, long term care patients/clients etc all have this risk and more. I hope someone suggests something we could do to draw public and medical awareness in a way that promotes changes but as someone elses reply stated- it's not very likely. Too sad for words.