Pressure sores are a MAJOR cause of concern for people who live in nursing homes. On the average, over one in five nursing home residents in the U.S. will have some kind of pressure sore. A person should be moved or repositioned every two hours to prevent pressure sores.
So, we know they are common and can be dangerous, but what exactly ARE pressure sores?
Pressure Sores are areas of damaged skin caused by staying in one position for too long. They commonly form where your bones are close to your skin, such as your ankles, back, elbows, heels, and hips. You are more at risk if you are bedridden, use a wheelchair, or unable to change your position. Pressure sores can cause serious infections, some of which are life-threatening.
You can prevent Pressure Sores by:
- Keeping skin clean and dry
- Changing position every so many hours (at least 2 hours minimum)
- Using pillows and products that relieve pressure
Stages of Skin Breakdown
Stage 1: Skin may appear reddened, like a bruise. The integrity of the skin remains intact-there are no breaks or tears, but the area is at high risk of further breakdown. It is crucial that the area is identified promptly, since with proper treatment these sores will heal within 60 days.
Stage 2: Skin breaks open, wears away, and forms an ulcer.
Stage 3: The sore worsens and extends beneath the skin surface, forming a small crater,. There may be no pain at this stage due to nerve damage. The risks of tissue death and infection are high.
Stage 4: Pressure sores progress, with extensive damage to deeper tissues (muscles, tendons, and bones). Serious complications, such as osteomyelitis (infection of the bone) or sepsis (infection carried through the blood) can occur.
Pressure sores have a variety of treatments. Advanced sores are slow to heal, so early treatment is best. Prevention is the key, because treatment can be difficult. Prevention plans require the skin to be kept clean and moisturized, frequent careful changing of body positioning (with proper lifting, not rubbing across surfaces), use of special mattresses or supports, management of other contributing illnesses, and implementation of healthy diet. Relieving or reducing the pressure on the area is essential. Once an ulcer appears, additional treatment option may include:
- Local ulcer care, including maintaining proper moisture balance and use of anti—bacterial dressings
- Debridement – removing dead tissue
- Keeping unaffected tissue around the pressure ulcer clean and lightly moistured
- Surgical intervention to provide muscle flaps and skin grafts for some patients
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