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It would not be worth the trauma to send someone to the ER for a skin tear.
It would not be worth wasting the time of the ER staff for a skin tear.
(and if this happened often I can almost bet that the next time they are sent to the ER emergency or not they will not be seen as an urgent case)
I can't tell you how many bottles of Liquid Bandage I had all around the house when I was taking care of my Husband. I would paint areas that he bumped or scraped just in case they might open.
Older people+ thin skin = skin tears this is a fact of life. And they do bleed like crazy! It can be frightening but as long as they are addressed and taken care of they are seldom emergencies.

I guess to answer your question though...
Yes you can request that your LO be taken to the hospital.
BUT I can bet the staff will not go with them so you would have to meet them at the hospital and authorize any treatment and remain with them and bring them back to the facility.
If the person has dementia if you can not remain with them after hours you may have to get a "sitter" to remain with them so they do not try to leave. (Most likely your LO will be billed for the "sitter")
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Reply to Grandma1954
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That isn’t a visit worth of the ER because it’s not an emergency.
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Reply to Bulldog54321
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I see no reason for hospitalization. There should be a wound care nurse who can care for it even a reg RN. There is nothing you can really do about skin tears. My daughter, woundcare nurse, uses Steri-Strips or butterfly strips to pull the skin back together so it will heal. My Mom used to get them.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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CVS sells a manuka honey cream that is very user friendly.
Manuka honey works better than Neosporin.
But, most manuka products are very sticky.
The CVS cream isn't sticky and is very soothing to skin.
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Reply to jwellsy
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Geaton777 Oct 18, 2025
"Manuka honey works better than Neosporin."

You are going by anecdotal stories and not scientifice proof. Manuka honey is a food supplement not overseen by the FDA and the companies who sell it do not have to scientifially prove any claim that is made about it (and they are for-profit businesses). If you can find an actual clinical study that tests manuka against an actual antibiotic ointment, please post it here as I would be very interested in reading it.

Maybe the OP thinks the elder needs to go to the hospital because the tear doesn't stop bleeding or is now infected and needs actual medication. I'm glad manuka honey works for you but I personally wouldn't bet my or anyone else's life on it.
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No. But the loved one should be seen by a medical person, either for skin care consult or for general checkup.

Tell us more. Is patient currently in care?
Who is POA for this person?
Exactly when and how did this skin problem occur?
Is a doctor or nurse available to examine or can patient be taken to urgent care for a check?

You don't tell us enough her to get a quality answer from us. But I surely do wish you best of luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Since this is posted on the SNF board, maybe it's the nursing home that's being dodgy about it? 

The hospital can use a surgical gel to repair those tears since they probably wouldn't be able to use stitches. If it's consistently bleeding through bandages that seems like a better option than just keeping fingers crossed that it heals. How long has it been like this?
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Reply to Stardust
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From your profile:

"I am caring for my mother Catherine , who is 103 years old, living at home with age-related decline, incontinence, urinary tract infection, and vision problems."

Please clarify information for context so we can give you best guidance:

Is the family member with the skin tear your Mother?

Does this person have a MPoA who is not you?

Are you saying that you don't want your Mother to be sent to the hospital to have her skin tear treated? If so, why not?

Or are you the family member requesting she be sent to the hospital? Is so, why would anyone not want her to go?
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Reply to Geaton777
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