A vast majority of pressure sore claims can and should be avoided with proper care and documentation. When a case is presented where the occurrence of a pressure ulcer was unavoidable, detailed documentation must exist that demonstrates not only that appropriate preventive interventions were delivered, but also the overall plan of care was implemented, in order to mitigate legal liability.
In the UK, The NHS has taken initiatives to avoid pressure sores and provided specific guidelines in 1994-95, that aimed to reduce the occurrence of pressure ulcers by 5% annually. One document by the NHS Executive is called ‘Pressure Ulcers – A Preventable Problem’. One Tissue Viability Nurse wrote in 2001, ‘It is a sad indictment to the current state of care in the UK that the government feels it necessary to set out a national framework for the prevention of pressure related damage’.
When it comes to pressure ulcers, the key to avoiding a costly litigation case is a sustainable, team-driven approach to prevention. Pressure sores are bound to cause pain even when the wound is treated quickly. However, in some cases a pressure ulcer can result in amputation or even death. For tips on how to prevent pressure ulcers, read our previous article, “10 Ways to Prevent Pressure Ulcers”.
For more information on how to prevent pressure ulcers along with the best ways to document and treat them should they occur, visit www.woundrounds.com.
[1] Sankey, Paul. “Clinical Negligence Specialist Paul Sankey on whether Pressure Sores can be avoided.” Russell, Jones, and Walker. 14 September 2012.