Substandard district nursing management of pressure sores

Our client, Mr V, who had been in a wheelchair following a road traffic accident, suffered deteriorating pressure sores that were overlooked eventually causing him to deteriorate so much that he fell unconscious requiring eight months hospital treatment.

By virtue of his disability, Mr V had a support network including district nurses visiting him daily to carry out pressure area care, including the treatment of any pressure sores.  They carried out pressure ulcer risk assessments and noted that he was at high risk of pressure ulcers.

A fresh abrasion on Mr V’s coccyx area was noted.  Treatment commenced but it deteriorated.  The district nurses failed to escalate the deteriorating sacral sores to their community team leader, general practitioner or tissue viability nurse until they had started to debride.  Mr V developed sepsis and was admitted to hospital.  Earlier intervention would have seen the pressure sores resolve without contracting sepsis  and his hospital admission.  The worsening sores had an adverse impact on Mr V’s general health.  He became less and less active and was eventually housebound.  He was spent 3 having to lie flat on his back and could not sit up at all.  He was left with scar tissue on his sacrum and is likely to have further episodes of skin breakdown in the future due to his previous pressure damage.

Jonathan Herbert, specialist clinical negligence lawyer, acted for Mr V in his claim for compensation and negotiated a settlement after the service of court proceedings.

Jonathan Herbert specialises in clinical negligence cases.  If you would like to ask Jonathan a question about a potential case, or if you have a general query about any personal injury claim, contact Jonathan Herbert at Thomson Snell & Passmore solicitors on 01892 701126 in confidence.