Pressure ulcers are one of the most prevalent hospital acquired infections. Typically, a patient is admitted to a hospital room, and while confined to the bed, develops a sore on a part of their body.
The friction, heat, weight and pressure, and lack of air on a portion of the body, often on the point of a joint or bone that protrudes into the mattress, creates a weakening of the skin's surface. The skin deteriorates into a sore. Now, the hospital staff must treat the sore, but cannot bill the insurance company because it was acquired under their care. So this becomes a direct expense that the hospital must cover in full.
For these reasons, pressure ulcers, along with other hospital acquired infections (HAIs) have captured the attention of hospital executives.
But beware, pressure ulcers can occur outside of the hospital too. A person who may be bed-ridden at home, or else confined to a wheelchair at home, can also develop a sore if they are not properly moved and repositioned to prevent the sore.
Here is a list of strategies and medical supplies that can help you prevent pressure ulcers, and also treat them once they occur.
1. Medical Supply Planning for the Senior Care Unit
First, know where to look.
One likely place to find pressure ulcers developing would be in the Senior Care Unit. There are many good reasons why Senior Care Units are on the rise, and pressure ulcer prevention is one of them.
The idea is to create a hospital wing or floor solely dedicated to the unique needs of seniors. And since they are a class of patient that typically suffers from impaired mobility, this would be a unit where you'd find many patients confined to bed.
Also, because of their age, their skin is weaker and more prone to damage.
So to have a medical care team of nurses that are trained to look out for these ulcers, and trained how to prevent them by frequent rotation and repositioning of their patients will go a long way toward minimizing the risk.More »
2. Medical Supplies for Obese and Bariatric Patients
Another place to keep a close watch for pressure ulcer development would be with your bariatric patients. Bariatric patients also have limited mobility, and the weight and pressure they put on the skin that touches the surface of the mattress or wheelchair cushion would be at high risk for damage. More »
3. 6 Steps to Prevent Pressure Ulcers, and the Medical Supplies to Help
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement, along with other health care quality organizations, have written suggestions and even treatment protocols to prevent, and treat if they arise, pressure ulcers.
Follow these steps to increase your chances of preventing a pressure ulcer.More »
4. 9 Skin Care Products for Pressure Ulcer Prevention
Once the pressure ulcer starts to develop, all is not lost. There are medical supplies available that run the entire spectrum of prevention and treatment for pressure ulcers.
For example, a big part of prevention, in addition to frequent repositioning, is keeping the skin clean. There are products such as "No-rinse cleansing body lotions", foaming body cleansers, and antimicrobial cleansers to help at this stage.
Once the sore starts to appear, antimicrobial cleansers, skin repair creams, and skin protectants come into play more often.
And as the wound begins to heal, there are a variety of skin protectants that nourish the skin around the wound, and enable the skin around the edges to grow, heal, and cover the wound. Some are cream-based, others feature silicone as a major ingredient. There are also creams and gels that apply clear so that the wound remains visible to the caregiver.More »
