Bedsore Management

Bedsore Management

An ulceration of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by poor circulation due to prolonged pressure on body parts

The most common places

  • hips
  • back
  • ankles
  • buttocks

This condition is common among:

  • elderly people
  • people with decreased mobility
  • people who spend long periods in bed or a wheelchair
  • people who can’t move certain body parts without help
  • people with fragile skin

Sign Symptoms :

  • skin discoloration
  • pain in the affected area
  • infection
  • open skin
  • skin that doesn’t lighten to the touch
  • skin that’s softer or firmer than the surrounding skin

Treatment:

Changing position

  • Second hourly positioning

Mattresses and cussion

  • Air mattress/Alfa Bed
  • Water bed

Dressings:

  • Alginate dressings –  to speed up the healing process
  • Hydrocolloid dressings –  encourages the growth of new skin cells in the ulcer, while keeping the surrounding healthy skin dry 
  • Other dressing types – such as foams, films, hydro fibres /gelling fibres, gels and antimicrobial (antibiotic) dressings may also be used

“Gauze dressings aren’t recommended for either the prevention or treatment of pressure ulcers.”

Creams and ointments:

  • Topical antiseptic or antimicrobial (antibiotic) creams and ointments aren’t usually recommended for treating pressure ulcers.
  • But barrier creams may be needed to protect skin that’s been damaged or irritated by incontinence. 

Antibiotics

  • Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat an infected ulcer or if you have a serious infection, such as
  • Bacterial infection of tissues under the skin (cellulitis)
  • Infection of the bone (osteomyelitis)

Diet and nutrition

  • Eating a healthybalanced diet that contains enough protein and a good variety of vitamins

Removing damaged tissue (debridement)

  • A local anaesthetic should be used to numb the area around the ulcer so debridement (if not being treated with a dressing) doesn’t cause you any pain.

Surgery

  • Surgical treatment involves:
  • Cleaning the wound and closing it by bringing the edges of the ulcer together
  • Cleaning the wound and using tissue from healthy skin nearby to close the ulcer
  • Implanted skin tissue dying

To read more on Patient Care, click on the link below.

Patient Care