Do you want to know about “How To Prevent Bed Sores on a Bedridden Patient?” Then Read this blog, You will get better solutions about Immobilized patients at your home.
Certain health conditions restrict the patient’s movements and tie them to their bed. Unfortunately, patients suffering from such medical conditions face the maximum risk of developing bedsores.
Also known as pressure ulcers, bed sores are a common yet often preventable condition in bedridden patients. These painful wounds result from prolonged pressure on the skin; these commonly arise on the skin over the bony areas of the body including the heels, ankles, hips, and tailbone. Bedsores can develop over hours or days. Changes in the color of the skin, sore areas, and swelling are some common symptoms of bedsores. They can be categorized into several stages depending on their depth and some other features. Bedsores might lead to serious complications if left untreated. They can grow large and lead to infections. Usually, most sores heal when proper medication is applied, however, so some open sores never heal completely.
We are crafting this blog to help Bed-rest patients shield themselves from the danger of bed sores. Here we explore their causes and risks, along with the 11 best practices to prevent them in patients. Keep reading till the end because we provide some further tips to alleviate Pressure Sores and enhance the comfort and well-being of those confined to bed.
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Understanding Bed Sores: Causes and Risk?
We might have heard about bed sores. But how many of us know what causes them?
The lack of awareness about the causes, symptoms, and precautions for bed sores causes many people to suffer from them.
To begin with, let us understand the causes of bed sores so that we can protect ourselves.
Pressure
If any part of our body is subjected to constant pressure then there is a high probability of reduced blood flow to the tissues. Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissue and is important for their survival. A complete cut-off or restricted flow of blood can damage and kill the nearby tissue over time. Bed sores caused due to pressure can damage the skin. For Bed bound patients open sores develop on the skin directly over the bone. These areas include the spine, tailbone, shoulder blades, hips, heels and elbows.
Friction
Convalescence can be caused due to fiction as well. In this case, the skin rubs against the clothing or bedding fabric and becomes more prone to injury. The chances of bed sores due to friction increase especially if the skin is moist.
Shear
Bed sores can also be caused when two surfaces move in the opposite direction. This can happen in the case of patients seated in a wheelchair or lying on inclined beds. Often a patient might slide down the bed thus causing the tailbone and the skin over it to be pulled in opposite directions.
Now that we know the causes of bed sores, let’s look at the people who are more prone to the risks of bed sores. These include people who
- Are immobile due to comma or any other disease
- Lack sensory perceptions
- Have poor nutrition
- Have medical conditions affecting blood flow
- Wear prosthetic devices
- Are paralyzed
- Have no control over their bladder or bowels
- Are 70 and above
In this segment, we discuss various risks and complications associated with bed sores, especially if they are left untreated.
Infection |
Tissue Necrosis |
Muscle and joint damage |
Reduced Quality of life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedsores can cause open wounds in the skin and make it more prone to bacterial infection. If the bacteria enters the body then it can lead to cellulitis, sepsis, or other serious infections. | Severe or untreated bed sores can lead to tissue necrosis. Here the tissue dies due to lack of oxygen and nutrients and can deteriorate the pace of wound healing. | Prolonged pressure on certain areas of the body can harm the underlying muscles, joints, and bones. This can even lead to muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, and even bone fractures in severe cases. | A person’s quality of life can be significantly impacted by the chronic pain, discomfort, and limited mobility associated with bed sores. |
11 Best tips to Prevent Bed Sores on a Bedridden Patient?
There is a common saying “Prevention is better than cure”, this means that it is much safer if we make efforts to prevent an unwanted event than taking steps to recover after it has occurred.
This saying fits in the scenario of pressure ulcers. We often neglect the serious threat that open sores (or pressure ulcers) pose. From the consequences we discussed above it can be well-understood that they can cause serious health concerns if not treated carefully. If the patient and their family take prevention measures then this health hazard can be avoided.
Here are 11 effective ways to prevent bed sores.
Risk Estimation:
You can use risk estimation tools like the Braden sale, which can help recognize a patient’s probability of developing pressure ulcers. Patients with medium to high risk of bed sores should consider taking precautions.
Skin Inspections:
There are various stages of bed sores. The initial signs of tissue damage include non-balancing erythema while skin damage is indicated by heat, induration, and swelling. Caregivers must examine the patient’s skin frequently to spot the signs of skin/ tissue damage.
Frequent Repositioning:
The caregiver should change the position of the bedridden patient every two to three hours to relieve pressure on areas of the body prone to bed sores like the back, buttocks, heels, and elbows.
Use Supportive Surface:
You can consider investing in pressure-relieving mattresses, cushions, and overlays to distribute weight evenly and alleviate pressure on bony areas of the body that do not have a muscle cover.
Maintaining Clean and Dry Skin:
You must ensure that the patients maintain good hygiene practices by keeping their skin clean and dry. Moisture-wicking bedding is highly recommended to prevent skin breakdown.
Optimize Nutrition:
Patients with poor nutrition are usually more prone to developing bed sores. Therefore providing a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals facilitates tissue healing and prevents malnutrition in patients. You should also monitor the patient’s diet regularly and address any nutritional deficiencies.
Incontinence:
Usually, incontinence and bed sores often exist together. Incontinence pads accompanied by the application of a barrier cream can be considered an effective remedy for this health hazard.
Encourage Mobility (if possible):
Pressure ulcers usually develop in patients restricted to their beds or chairs. Encouraging patients to perform gentle motion exercises and physical therapy to improve circulation, muscle strength, and joint mobility can prevent bed bound patients to a great extent.
Minimize Friction and shear:
The caregivers should use proper lifting techniques and prevent dragging or sliding the patients across surfaces to minimize friction on the skin.
Preventing Moisture:
Often skin damage can be caused by excessive perspiration and oedema. You must take precautions to avoid such conditions. The less moisture the patient’s skin is exposed to the less they are prone to Cord injury.
Educate Caregivers:
Ensure that all carers are trained in the best practices to prevent bed sores, including a proper positioning technique and skin care routine.
Additional Tips to Get Rid of Bed Sores for Bedridden Patients?
In the previous segment, we discussed the top 11 measures for the prevention of bed sores. Here we will share 7 additional tips that you can follow to protect your skin from damage and reduce the chances of this health hazard.
- While you are lying on the bed, make sure that the bedsheets are smooth.
- If you notice any discomfort or changes in your skin get in touch with your doctor or nurses as soon as possible.
- Refrain from massaging or rubbing the skin to prevent pressure ulcers
- Avoid using talcum powder or scented soaps as they might dry the essential oils of the skin.
- Refrain patients from dragging their elbows and heels when they move in their chairs or beds.
- Ensure that the patients drink adequate water and fluids throughout the day. Proper hydration keeps the skin supple and reduces the risk of skin breakdown.
- It is better to dress the patients in loose-fitting breathable clothes to minimize friction and irritation of the skin. Tight clothing restricts blood flow to the skin and increases the risk of bed sore formation.
Outcome
Bedsores or pressure ulcers are sometimes the most neglected health issue. We focus so much on treating the more serious ailments that the patient is suffering from (like cancer and dementia) that we miss out on the ancillary issues. Although most of the time the healing process can be healed, leaving them untreated can intensify their impacts. In this blog, we have discussed the top measures for preventing bed sores for patients and their families to follow. Before ending the blog, we also revealed some homely tips that are simple to implement and are super effective when it comes to preventing skin and tissue damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patients suffering from what types of diseases are more prone to bed sores?
How long does it take bed sores to heal?
Are bed sores contagious?
How can bedsores be treated?
When should I seek medical attention for a bed sore?
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