pressure ulcers + pressure ulcer prevention
It makes me very happy when I receive some nice eMails from readers. As it is possibly already known, I offer by means of the care blogger blog questions-to-care to answer the relevant issues. Since I’m still in the middle of the career of the nursing world, I can’t always answer every question. Should it happen that I can’t answer a question, I have a lot of nice contacts, which I can recommend with a good Conscience!
This morning I found an eMail in which the question arises, what is a pressure ulcer. The term would occur in the local nursing home more often, more accurately, “decubitus prophylaxis”. Here (m)a small catalogue of topics:
Pressure ulcers, what is it ?
A bedsore is decubitus ulcers, a pressure ulcer /. To be more precise: for A longer period of sustained pressure resulting damage to the skin and underlying tissue. [Google – Images-Search – Bedsores]
Causes of pressure sores
In the case of pressure ulcer formation play the factors: pressure, pressure duration (time), pressure (intensity) , as well as the tissue tolerance, a significant role.
What is shear ?
Under shear is in the nursing and medical language, understood the connection of the different layers of skin against each other. It results in the Turning, pulling and storing of the patient.
What people have an increased risk of developing pressure ulcers ?
Older people are at risk, patients with circulatory disturbance, Edema, Sick, suffering from incontinence, Sick with a high fever, or patients who work up a sweat in General. Patients with reduced freedom of movement due to pain or associations, the Sick, the paralyzed, the Sick, the are very thin or thick.
What are the parts of the body are particularly at risk ?
- In the supine position: behind the head, elbows, scapula, spinous processes, the spine, sacrum, coccyx, heels
- On the side: ear, shoulder, elbow, iliac crest, great rolling hills (Trochanter), knee (outside and inside), fußaußen ankle and Knew of, foot-ankle
- When Sitting: Elbow, Ischial Tuberosity, Heel
Pressure Ulcer Stages
- Stage 1: reddening of the skin after pressure relief, does not disappear
- Stage 2: skin defect without depth effect, possibly, the formation of bubbles
- Stage 3: Gewebsdefekt to the muscles, Tendons and ligaments
- Stage 4: necrosis with bone involvement
Pressure ulcer prevention – in a nutshell
To prevent all measures to the emergence of a pressure ulcer. The pressure relief and the reduction of vulnerable parts of the body is a top priority! This is done by:
- Promotion Of Physical Activity (Mobilisation)
- Location of change (approx. every 2 – 3 hours)
- Positioning devices (cushions, etc.)
- Promote the blood circulation
- Protection of the skin
- Meaningful / Appropriate Diet