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Medical Study Suggests That Infant Bedsores Are Wholly Preventable

On Behalf of | Dec 27, 2013 | Birth Injuries, Medical Malpractice

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Bedsores, also known as pressure sores or decubitus ulcers, commonly victimize prematurely-born infants during their stay in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Medical research has revealed that as many as 25 percent of infants born preterm will suffer pressure sores during hospitalization. That is why the results of a new study are encouraging to parents of babies born preterm.

According to new research from the Loyola University Healthy System, nurse training and best practices can prevent infant pressure ulcers, altogether.

“The healthcare system has not had a consistent way to assess the risk for skin breakdown in premature infants,” said Barbara Hering of Loyola. “This program allowed our nurses to more easily recognize at-risk patients and implement interventions earlier to prevent pressure ulcers and subsequent complications.”

Infant pressure sores occur when the baby’s skin is repeatedly rubbed or pressed upon over a long duration of time. With proper education, nurses can recognize situations where there is an increased risk of bedsores and take precautions to prevent their occurrence.

Infant pressure sore prevention is important because open sores expose babies to infection, as well as unnecessary pain and discomfort. Preterm babies in NICUs already have a series of health problems, but hopefully bedsores will be one condition that infants will not have to suffer through.

If your child suffered serious harm from pressure ulcers or another condition caused by hospital negligence, an experienced neonatal malpractice attorney can help you explore your legal options.

McKeen & Associates, P.C., is an elite medical malpractice law firm that devotes much of its practice to birth injury and trauma cases. Based in Detroit, Michigan, the lawyers at McKeen & Associates have the resources and ability to handle complicated medical malpractice lawsuits anywhere in the U.S.

Source: AboutLawsuits.com, “Infant Pressure Sores Eliminated In NICU With Preventative Care,” Irvin Jackson, Nov. 25, 2013

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