News

Study Looking at Using Music to Prevent Bed Sores

January 7, 2011 - Kentucky - Ten nursing homes in Kentucky are participating in a study designed to scale back the incidences of bed sores, Courier-Journal.com has reported.

The study, conducted by the University of Cincinnati, uses music to alert caregivers that residents need to be repositioned. The music flows from speakers every 2 hours, at which time caregivers will tend to their patients. Repositioning patients has been proven to assist in the prevention of bed sores.

Bed sores, which are also called decubitus ulcers and pressure ulcers, form when a patient remains in the same position for extended periods of time. It's particularly problematic for people who spend the majority of their time in bed or in wheelchairs.

In severe cases, bed sores can lead to the breakdown of skin as well as muscle, tissue and bones. In some instances, they can be life-threatening. Although repositioning guidelines have been in place for quite some time, the problem has been staff compliance. 

Researchers at UC's College of Nursing are conducting the study with a $300,000 grant received from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 

Two nursing homes in the study, Signature HealthCARE of East Louisville and Signature HealthCARE of Trimble County, give the study two thumbs up. Those homes might continue the audio reminders when the study comes to an end in April.

Contacting a Louisville Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect, a Louisville nursing home neglect lawyer at Gray and White Law can help you handle every aspect of your nursing home neglect claim. If your loved one has been injured in Kentucky, contact us today for a free evaluation of your case - 1-800-634-8767 or 502-210-8942.

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