The number of hospital patients with pressure sores, also called decubitus ulcers or bed sores, rose from 480,000 cases in 2007 to 655,000 cases in 2010 a substantial increase says California Elder Abuse Lawyer Steven Peck of the Peck Law Group.

Pressure sores typically result from prolonged periods of uninterrupted pressure on the skin, soft tissue, muscle, and bone. Vulnerable patients include the elderly, stroke victims, patients with diabetes, those with dementia, and people who use wheelchairs or are bedridden any patient with impaired mobility or sensation.

Patients aged 65 and older accounted for 72% of all hospitalizations during which pressure sores were noted. About 19% of such stays were for patients 45 to 64 years of age.

On average, patients admitted to hospitals primarily for treatment of pressure sores stayed nearly 13 days. But length of stay varied by age patients aged 18 to 44 accounted for the longest average stay (14 days), and those aged 85 and older had the shortest stays (10 days).

Nearly 9 of every 10 hospital stays involving pressure ulcers were covered by government health programs 66% by Medicare and 23% by state Medicaid programs.

Hospital charges for stays principally for treatment of pressure ulcers averaged $37,800, but average charges varied by payer, for example, the average charge to Medicaid was $39,100 while the average bill to the uninsured was $25,600.

The 10 most common principal reasons for hospitalizations during which it was noted that patients also had pressure sores were septicemia; pneumonia; urinary tract infections; aspiration pneumonitis; congestive heart failure; rehabilitation care; fluid and electrolyte disorders; complication of device, implant, or graft; respiratory failure; and diabetes mellitus with complications.

About the Author

Attorney Steven Peck has been practicing law since 1981. A former successful business owner, Mr. Peck initially focused his legal career on business law. Within the first three years, after some colleagues and friend’s parents endured nursing home neglect and elder abuse, he continued his education to begin practicing elder law and nursing home abuse law.