Nursing Homes With Higher Percentage Of Hispanic Residents Have Higher Rate Of Bed Sores

A research study concluded by researchers at Brown University concluded nursing homes with a higher Hispanic populations have higher rates of bed sores (also known as: pressure sores, pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcers) than facilities with less minorities.  The results are detailed in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Hispanic Residents Have Higher Rate Of Bed SoresThe researchers gathered information from the National Repository of the Minimum Data Set, a federally mandated assessment of all nursing home residents and from the Oscar Database System, a survey of all nursing home residents from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.  Additionally, the Brown study evaluated all nursing home residents over 65 who live in nursing homes in California, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and Colorado.

The lead researcher of the Brown survey, Vincent Mor, chair of the Department of Community Health, conducted a similar survey in 2007 that concluded African Americans are more likely than whites to live in poor-quality nursing homes.  That study found the disparity of care received in predominately African American nursing homes to be worst in the Midwest.

Read more about the results of this nursing home survey here.

Bed Sores Are A Problem Facing All Nursing Home Residents

A bed sore is an area of skin that breaks down when you stay in one position for too long without shifting your weight. This often happens if you use a wheelchair or you are bedridden– even for a short period of time (for example, after surgery or an injury). The constant pressure against the skin reduces the blood supply to that area, and the affected tissue dies.

A bed sore starts as reddened skin but gets progressively worse, forming a blister, then an open sore, and finally a crater. The most common places for pressure ulcers are over bony areas like the elbow, heels, hips, ankles, shoulders, back, and the back of the head.

Despite claims from the health care industry, bed sores are preventable with competent medical care.  Staff in nursing homes and hospitals must to an assessment of those individuals who are at heightened risk for development of bed sores and create a plan for their prevention.  Frequently, a care plan will include: frequent rotation to discourage sitting in one area for long periods, pressure relieving air mattresses and special enhanced nutrition diets.

Our Commitment To Minority Communities

iStock_000003017093XSmall-1One of the reasons there are higher rates of poor nursing home care amongst minorities is due to barriers in communication.  Nursing homes housing individuals should have staff to help communicate both physician orders to the residents and to communicate resident needs to physicians.  When there is a breakdown in communication, resident safety is jeopardized.

At Nursing Home Law Center LLC, we pride ourselves on our commitment to all minorities.  For more than 35 years, we have been honored to represent individuals and families of all races and ethnicity’s.  We maintain a Spanish speaking staff and frequently work with translators to zealously represent individuals in the Polish, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese communities.

We believe all people, regardless of their ethnic background, deserve the finest legal representation available.

Nursing Home Law Center LLC Blog Entries On Bed Sores:

Government Report Confirms Pressure Ulcers Harm All Nursing Home Residents; Regardless Of Race, Sex or Age

Incontinence Amongst The Nursing Home Population

Contact Information
Segment Pixel