Prevention and inspection are key when dealing with pressure ulcers. Patients who are bed-bound for any length of time are at risk for developing these dangerous wounds quickly, so it is important to follow a strict protocol to prevent their development. Caregivers should ensure the patient is repositioned every two hours and utilize various positioning aids to prevent pressure buildup in any one area. In the earliest stages of pressure ulcers, simple repositioning can prevent them from progressing further.
It is also important that the skin of any patient who is wheelchair or bed-ridden be inspected often. Pressure ulcers can form quickly but understanding the early signs and adjusting care techniques will ensure that more serious issues do not arise, including infection, osteomyelitis, sepsis, gangrene, and death.
Unfortunately, once pressure ulcers have progressed to Stages 2 through 4, there is no “quick fix”. Pressure ulcers are serious and with other preexisting conditions present, healing time can be lengthy, with some more serious cases of pressure ulcers not healing at all.
If your loved one has pressure ulcers, it is important that they receive medical attention immediately. Some possible treatments for pressure ulcers include:
- Improved nutrition-Often, patients who suffer from pressure ulcers are also suffering from poor nutrition. Dark red, orange, and green vegetables along with supplementation of Vitamin C and Zinc can be helpful. If poor nutrition is suspected, a nutritionist should be consulted, and for patients who cannot adjust their nutrition on their own, tube-feeding and IV feeding may be warranted.
- Wound cleaning and debridement-Wounds that are open should be cleaned with a saline solution at every change of the wound dressing. If there is dead tissue present, a doctor may recommend surgical debridement.
- Non-surgical treatments-There are times that other therapies could be useful in pressure ulcer healing. These include pressurized water treatments, hydrotherapy, and biotherapy (maggot therapy treatment).
- Dressings-The proper dressing can allow pressure ulcers to heal quicker. The area surrounding the pressure ulcer should be kept dry while the wound itself should be moist. Transparent, semi-breathable dressings will help retain the appropriate moisture while encouraging new skin growth. Topical antibiotics can be applied and given orally or via IV, depending on the severity of the pressure ulcer.
Even with these treatments, pressure ulcers may still require surgery. Surgery can be quite extensive, including amputation, skin grafts, and muscle flap surgery. With these types of surgery, infection and complications are common and recovery is very difficult.
There is no fast way to get rid of pressure ulcers, instead it is important to prevent them from happening in the first place. Unfortunately, nursing homes are often short-staffed, and their employees do not always recognize the early warning signs.
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