How to prevent pressure sore in paralyzed or bedridden patients
A pressure ulcer or decubitus ulcer is localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure or shearing forces. The pressure prevents blood from circulating properly; causing cell death, tissue necrosis and the development of ulcers. The most common places for pressure ulcers are over a bony prominence such as elbows, heels, hips, buttocks, ankles, shoulders and the back of the head. A person that is bed bound or cannot move due to diabetes, stroke, spinal cord injury or any other paralysis is at risk of developing pressure ulcer. Therefore, special attention should be given to areas over a bony prominence where pressure ulcers often form. For patients admitted in hospital, the care-givers should look out for reddened areas that, when pressed, do not turn white, and for blisters, sores, or craters. There is high mortality rate associated with pressure sores so adequate care should be taken to prevent its’ occurrence via change of patient’s position or turning in bed every 2 hours, use of pressure mattress, eating balanced diet, maintaining adequate fluid intake, keeping skin clean and dry especially after urinating or passing bowel.
Some patients on admission in various hospital wards develop pressure due to poor care from staff and care-givers especially with the 2 hourly turning in bed. While this is very important in preventing pressure sore, this task could be exhausting. The use of an alternating pressure mattress could save the care-giver a lot of energy and attention required in turning the patient every 2 hours. An alternating pressure mattress is a series of air cells that inflate and deflate alternately. It uses an air pump connected to a power source to inflate and deflate the cells, providing movement across the patients’ skin. The air cells that are inflated support the patient whilst the deflated air cells provide total pressure relief to the skin above them. The air pump then inflates the deflated cells and deflates the inflated cells, ensuring the entire body experiences movement and periods of no pressure. Alternating pressure mattresses are typically used to prevent pressure ulcers and reduce the need for manual repositioning in bed ridden patients. For more information on how to get an alternating pressure mattress; call or whatsapp Dr. Chucks on 08061509591