Florida ALF residents are no longer appropriate for an Assisted Living Facility if they have a Stage 3 or 4 bedsore (pressure ulcer). If an Assisted Living Facility resident suffers from a Stage III or Stage IV pressure ulcer, he or she must be transferred out of the ALF into a higher care facility, like a nursing home. A stage 4 pressure ulcer developed inside an ALF is a form of Assisted Living Facility negligence.
Assisted Living Facilities and Bedsores
In Florida, all assisted living facilities are governed by Chapter 429 of the Florida Statutes, as well as Chapter 58A-5 of the Florida Administrative Code. Any ALF resident who has a stage 3 or stage 4 pressure sore cannot remain in the assisted living facility. Additionally, if an ALF resident is bedbound (unable to move out of bed) for more than 14 days, they are considered an inappropriate candidate for assisted living.
Can I Keep my Loved One in an ALF If They Have a Stage 4 Bed Sore?
Legally, no. And although you may be frustrated that your loved one has to move, your anger should be directed at the fact that a pressure ulcer formed under the care of the Assisted Living nurses. A resident cannot be admitted to an A.L.F. with a Stage 3 or Stage 4 pressure ulcer. Similarly, if a resident develops a pressure sore inside the assisted living, the resident must be discharged if the wound does not heal within 30 days.
Florida Law on Assisted Living Facility Bed Sores
Florida Admin. Rule 58A-5.0181 deals with appropriateness of placement and continued residency in Florida’s assisted living facilities. The rule states that a resident cannot be admitted to a Florida ALF, or continue to reside in a Florida ALF with any stage 3 or stage 4 pressure sores.
What is a Stage 3 Bedsore in an ALF?
A stage 3 pressure ulcer is characterized by a full thickness loss of the outer skin (epidermis) with a crater/hole in the tissue. This skin loss in a Stage III pressure ulcer is usually accompanied by a loss of some fat tissue as well. If you are unsure what stage pressure ulcer your loved one developed at the ALF, get them to a hospital where the wound can be properly treated and staged by neutral healthcare providers who are not affiliated with the Assisted Living Facility.
What is a Stage 4 Bedsore in an ALF?
A stage 4 pressure ulcer is defined by a full thickness loss of the outer skin (epidermis) accompanied by a large crater deep into the skin. This stage 4 pressure ulcer may also have tunneling into adjacent areas or expose the bone due to the depth of the wound. A stage 4 pressure ulcer is the worst, most severe stage of bedsore and should not occur inside an ALF. If you are unsure what stage pressure ulcer your loved one developed at the ALF, get them to a hospital where the wound can be properly treated and staged by neutral healthcare providers who are not affiliated with the Assisted Living Facility.
How Do Bedsores Form in Assisted Living?
Bed sores and pressure ulcers form in Assisted Living settings due to patient immobility and nurse neglect. If a resident cannot move themselves in bed, a nurse is required to reposition the patient every 2 hours. Failing to reposition the patient in bed every 2 hours is a form of assisted living facility neglect. This failure can result in the formation of bedsores.
Can I Sue an ALF for a Stage 4 Pressure Sore?
Yes, our elder abuse law firm has handled numerous assisted living facility neglect bedsore cases over the years. If your loved one suffered a pressure sore inside an assisted living facility, do not remain silent in the face of the potential neglect. Call our lawyers today for your free ALF pressure ulcer case evaluation at 1-844-253-8919.
