Untreated Bedsore Leads To Serious Bone Infection Requiring Surgery At Paul House & Health Care Center

The Illinois Department Of Health has cited and fined Paul House & Health Care Center when the facility failed to provide proper wound care to a resident that led to the development of a severe, infected pressure ulcer (bedsore) that went all the way to the bone.

The resident in question, who needed extensive help with daily care due to muscle weakness and other health conditions, was identified as “high risk” for skin problems when first admitted to the facility and required staff assistance for repositioning and toileting.

The facility first noticed a skin issue in the resident’s sacral area (lower back/tailbone), documenting it as moisture-associated skin damage. The resident was supposed to receive daily treatment with a special honey-based medication (Medihoney) covered with a foam dressing. However, records show this treatment wasn’t documented as being performed for five consecutive days.

The situation became critical when the resident had to be transferred to the emergency room. Hospital records revealed a disturbing discrepancy – while the facility had prescribed Medihoney (a clear substance), the ER noted “white substance and dressing on arrival,” suggesting improper treatment. The resident reported pain in their “butt,” and doctors discovered a “large sacral decubitus” (pressure ulcer).

Further medical examination revealed the severity of the wound. A surgical consultation noted the wound “appears likely to involve muscle and likely periostium (membranous tissue that covers the surface of bone).” The situation was so serious that an MRI confirmed bone infection (osteomyelitis) of the sacrum and coccyx, requiring surgical debridement. The wound was also infected with multiple types of bacteria.

An investigation revealed several systemic problems at the facility:
– The main wound care nurse lacked proper certification despite working there for over a year
– Staff members without wound care certification were performing treatments
– Required treatments weren’t being performed or documented properly
– Poor communication about wound care responsibilities

The Medical Director explained the severity of improper wound care: “there is potential for serious harm, the wound can become infected, and the resident can become septic.” He further explained how such wounds progress: “the deeper the wound goes there’s muscle and fascia. The deeper the wound goes; it can involve the bone and it can be an infection which is osteomyelitis.”

This case highlights how failure to provide proper wound care and follow prescribed treatments can lead to severe complications. The resident, who was mentally alert enough to report their discomfort, suffered unnecessary progression of a preventable condition that ultimately required surgery and resulted in a bone infection.

One of our core beliefs is that nursing homes are built to fail due to the business model they follow and that unnecessary accidental injuries and wrongful deaths of nursing home residents are the inevitable result. Our experienced Chicago nursing home lawyers are ready to help you understand what happened, why, and what your rights are. Contact us to get the help you need.