Nursing Home (Photo credit: LOLren)
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, usually develop on an immobile patient with nutrient deficiencies. In nursing homes, 24% of residents may develop them at some point. It’s estimated the total annual cost in the U.S. for treating them is $1.3 billion. 70% of ulcers occur in people over the age of 70 and hip fractures (a common injury when older people fall) increase the likelihood of developing one. A study from 2006 showed a 96% increase in healing for patients who consumed a liquid protein mix 3x a day. Lawsuits involving pressure ulcers are the second most common claim filed against nursing homes (after wrongful death but before falls). The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care (www.theconsumervoice.org) published a nine-page manual titled “The High Cost of Poor Care: The Financial Case for Prevention in American Nursing Homes” which says by providing $56 heel protectors, one nursing home reduced pressure ulcers by 95% (30% of all pressure ulcers occur in the heel).
