A patient has filed a lawsuit against a long-term, acute care hospital near The Villages, alleging that medical negligence led to the development of severe pressure wounds that required surgical intervention.
Stanley Varesi filed the complaint against Select Specialty Hospital – The Villages, Inc. in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court for Sumter County on Dec. 30.
According to its website, Select Specialty Hospital is a 40-bed free-standing critical illness recovery hospital located at 5050 County Road 472 in Oxford. The facility specializes in helping critically ill patients recover and regain independence in breathing, speaking, eating, walking, and thinking.
According to the lawsuit, Varesi was admitted to the facility for supportive care and rehabilitation following a motor vehicle accident on Sept. 5, 2023. The complaint states that upon admission, Varesi had no pressure-related wounds.
However, the lawsuit alleges that during his stay, Varesi developed one pressure wound on his right lateral gluteus and another on his medial gluteus due to a lack of proper care. He claims the injuries were first documented on Oct. 6, 2023, but argues they likely existed earlier due to their severity.
The complaint accuses the hospital staff of negligence for failing to properly assess and document skin breakdown or provide preventative care to a patient known to be at risk for pressure injuries. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that staff failed to turn and reposition Varesi every two hours as required by standard care practices.
Varesi was discharged on Oct. 13, 2023, and transferred to Evergreen Woods Health and Rehab Center. The lawsuit states that after his transfer, Varesi had to undergo debridement surgery twice to remove damaged tissue and was prescribed a six-week course of antibiotics to treat infections related to the wounds.
Varesi is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 for pain and suffering, physical impairment, medical expenses, and loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life.