Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, FAPWCA, FAND
Plaintiffs often express shock and disbelief after eschar is removed, which often leaves a wound larger than the original size of the eschar.
Wound photo: “Stage 4 decubitus displaying the Gluteus medius muscle attached to the crest of the ilium” by Bobjgalindo is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“We were in shock and couldn’t believe our eyes. It was like half her foot was gone.”
“My husband and I were horrified when we saw what they did.”
“My sister and I looked at each other, and I just kept asking why?”
“I had to leave the room and go the bathroom to cry when I saw what they did to my mother.”
You might think these quotes are from people who have witnessed a shocking crime or some sort of violence, but they are not. These are quotes from family members, now plaintiffs, who are suing for poor medical care related to a chronic wound. Their shock all had one thing in common—it came after seeing a wound that was surgically debrided.