General information on decubitus ulcers from a malpractice website.
Those charged with the care of patients know to try to prevent these in the first place by paying attention to the patient -- turning and moving them regularly, padding, keeping the area clean, and back rubs. Michael Schiavo took pride early on that Terri had never had one because it indicated that she had been receiving excellent care.
If a pressure ulcer does begin to form (as is shown by early on by red, raw, perhaps blistered skin), then there must be more diligent care to ensure that it does not progress beyond the earliest stage, for a life threatening infection can easily and quickly result:
It is possible for a wound to “go from a stage I wound to a stage III or IV” without the intermittent stage[s] being observed. All wound stages were present just not obvious, hence the need to treat all wounds as serious with the potential of rapidly worsening.There are indications that Terri's ordinary care is being neglected at this point -- her parents have complained that she has gone unbathed and that her hair has been dirty. This at a time when she needs even more TLC.
She's missing 2 (TWO) teeth -- and as fv has noted, teeth don't just walk out of a mouth. She was attacked in her bed -- whether they were puncture wounds or scratches -- by person(s) unknown. Her parents and other loving interested parties (including her priest during Easter week) are barred from visiting her.
GOOGLE search of decubitus ulcers:
grading decubitus ulcers -- family practice medicine site
This is what one can look like -- more information
I remain very concerned for Terri, and am at a loss to know what to do for her. I would love to rub her back, turn her, get her outside in her chair, talk to her, see if she can be fed by mouth. What is being done to her is quite offensive and an affront to decency and humane treatment of others.