The plaintiff underwent multi-level spinal surgery in June 2011. She was admitted to a rehabilitation hospital and after six weeks she was diagnosed with a pressure ulcer on her sacrum and bilateral pressure ulcers on her heels. She was then discharged from that facility to a long term care nursing home. The plaintiffs contended that a lack of continuity of care resulted in an exacerbation of the pressure sore, so that it went from a Stage II pressure sore to a Stage IV pressure sore.
The plaintiffs further alleged that the pressure sore developed because appropriate pressure relief measures were not undertaken at either healthcare facility. Additionally, there was evidence that the plaintiff was malnourished and this contributed to the development of the pressure sores and their inability to heal. After appropriate pressure relief measures were undertaken, supplemental nutrition was employed and the plaintiff underwent multiple debridement surgeries, her pressure sores eventually healed. Nevertheless, the skin breakdown resulted in a prolonged stay at the nursing facility and some measure of out-of-pocket expenses to the plaintiffs.
The case settled at a mediation hearing prior to the scheduling of a trial date.
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