Pressure Ulcers (Bed Sores)

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Pressure Ulcers(Bed Sores)

• Presented by
• Nirvi Shah

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What are Pressure Ulcers?

• Area of skin breaks down when no movement occurs
• Constant pressure reduces blood supply to
  specific area? death of tissue

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4 Stages of Pressure Ulcers

• Reddened area of skin
• Blister/Open Sore
• Crater (bowl shaped depression on surface)
• Damage to muscle or bone

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4 Stages of Pressure Ulcers
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Signs/Symptoms

• Foul odor from ulcer
• Redness/tenderness around ulcer
• Warm/swollen skin
• Fever, weakness, and confusion if infection
  spread to blood or other areas of body

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Treatment

• Relieve pressure in area (pillows, cushions)
• Physician can treat depending on stage
• Avoid further trauma
• Prevent infection by properly cleaning open
  ulcers
• Medication to promote skin healing

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DO NOT

• Massage the area
• Damage tissue under the skin
• Use donut-shaped or ring-shaped cushions
• Interfere with blood flow

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Whos at Risk?

• Bedridden/wheelchair bound
• Fragile skin/Older age
• Chronic disease that prevents blood flow
• Spinal Cord Injury/Brain Injury/MS
• Alzheimers Disease

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Prevention

• Change position every 2 hrs to relieve pressure
• Use pillows, foam padding to reduce pressure
• Eat healthy/Drink plenty of water
• Exercise daily to prevent immobility
• Keep skin clean and dryespecially after
  urinating/bowel movements

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Interesting Facts

• Prevalence in U.S.
• 10 to 18 in acute care
• 1 million individuals/year
• Cause of death in 60,000 individuals/year
• (or because pressure ulcers caused another
  infection or complication)
• Can trigger Sepsis
• Bacteria from pressure ulcer entering the
  bloodstream