404. That’s an error. The requested URL /answers/threadview%3Fid%3D522239 was not found on this server. That’s all we know.Though resting in bed for an extended period of time may sound rather nice to most people, the bedsores that develop on hospital patients who are bedridden for weeks or months are not appealing whatsoever — and can even lead to death. Also known as pressure-ulcers, bedsores occur when the skin breaks down after pressing on a mattress for a long period of time.Now, the company Wellsense has developed an alert monitor that can track pressure points on a person’s body and assist caregivers in adjusting the patient’s position every few hours to prevent bedsores. The Monitor Alert Project (MAP) is a monitor-connected mattress that illustrates the likely bedsore spots on the patient’s body. On its website, Wellsense describes the project: “The Map System is the first ever, Continuous Bedside Pressure Mapping System (CBPM). Used seamlessly on any existing bed, MAP allows caregivers to place and position patients using actual pressure distribution data.
The MAP System provides instant feedback to guide caregivers through off-loading pressure accurately.”Bedsores are categorized into four stages, where stage I is the earliest and least severe and includes a reddening of the pressure spot on the skin. Stage II and stage III cause the skin to blister and form an open sore, and ultimately turn into a sunken hole that is called a crater. Stage IV involves an ulcer that has damaged the muscle, bone, and often tendons.Though it’s a preventable problem, up to 60,000 Americans die from bedsores every year, and nearly 2.5 million are affected. A 2012 study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older people who developed bedsores during their time in the hospital were more likely to die, to stay longer in the hospital, and to be readmitted within 30 days of their discharge.Currently, caregivers must reposition patients in order to relieve the pressure and pain caused by being in one position for a long time. Patients seated in wheelchairs need to move around and reposition themselves every 15 minutes if possible, while those lying in beds should reposition every two hours.
Other traditional ways of preventing bedsores involve special mattress pads, cushions, and water-filled mattresses that may lessen pressure spots. Bathing and inspecting the skin is also important. If the patient has enough strength to lift themselves, often trapeze bars are placed that can help them reposition themselves.The MAP System may make it easier and more clear for nurses and other healthcare professionals (as well as patients themselves) to identify what spots on the body may be at risk of developing ulcers. On the small monitor, the system shows in red what parts on the body have the most pressure, and with blue, what areas have the least pressure. In a video describing the product, the Wellsense claims that in experiments, the MAP mattress prevented bedsores in patients nearly up to 100 percent and saved hospitals thousands of dollars.Bedsores are "the most prevalent hospital-acquired condition," the Healthcare Management Council stated in 2010, and "the second most expensive condition — costing a facility an average total of roughly $536,900 annually.
A patient acquiring a bedsore required on average $9,200 in extra care."5 Tips for Preventing Bed Sores in Bedridden Patients by Advanced Tissue 0 4 Bed sores are more common in bedridden patients. Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, develop when there is too much pressure on the skin. This condition is more common in bedridden patients. These sores not only cause pain and discomfort, but may lead to infections, like meningitis, cellulitis and endocarditis, according to HealthLink BC. The shoulder blades, tailbone, elbows, heels and hips are the most common sites for bed sores because these areas contain little muscle and fat. When the body doesn’t get any movement, it can hinder adequate blood flow to the skin, depriving it of nutrients and oxygen. If you are currently on bed rest, there are several things you can do to prevent bed sores. When you change positions often, there will be less pressure on your skin, reducing your risk of developing pressure ulcers.
It is a good idea to reposition your body at least every couple of hours. For example, if you have been lying on your back for a while, turn to your side. If you are unable to switch positions on your own, ask a family member or caregiver to help. Keep skin clean and dry The cleaner and drier your skin is, the less likely it will develop bed sores. Dip a wash rag in a bucket of warm water and mild soap and clean your skin with it. You will likely need another person to help you clean the hard-to-reach spots. Then, pat your skin dry with a towel. If you rub too hard, it can lead to skin irritation. Another effective way to prevent bed sores is to put pillows between parts of your body that press against each other. National Institutes of Health recommends placing a pillow under your tailbone, shoulders, heels and elbows. If you are lying on your side, it is better to put the pillow between your knees and ankles. When you can’t even get out of bed, the idea of exercise seems daunting.
However, performing a few range of motion exercises in bed can help reduce the risk of bed sores. For example, you can start with an arm lift. Just lift your arm up as high as you can and hold it there for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise on the other arm. Advanced Tissue is the nation’s leader in delivering specialized wound care supplies to patients. Explore our mobile product guide to find wound care products for a pressure ulcer. pressure ulcers, wound careTreatment for pressure ulcers can vary, depending on the grade of the ulcer. Treatment options may include regularly changing your position, or using special mattresses and dressings to relieve pressure or protect the skin. In some cases, surgery may be needed.Pressure ulcers are a complex health problem arising from many interrelated factors. Therefore, your care may be provided by a team comprising different types of healthcare professionals. This type of team is sometimes known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
It's important to avoid putting pressure on areas that are vulnerable to pressure ulcers or where pressure ulcers have already formed. Moving and regularly changing your position helps to prevent pressure ulcers developing and relieves the pressure on the ulcers that have developed. After your risk assessment is completed, your care team will draw up a "repositioning timetable", which states how often you need to be moved. For some people, this may be as often as once every 15 minutes. Others may need to be moved only once every two hours.The risk assessment will also consider the most effective way of avoiding putting any vulnerable areas of skin under pressure whenever possible. You may also be given training and advice about:There are a range of special mattresses and cushions that can relieve pressure on vulnerable parts of the body. Your care team will discuss the types of mattresses and cushions most suitable for you.Those thought to be at risk of developing pressure ulcers, or who have pre-existing grade one or two pressure ulcers, usually benefit from a specially designed foam mattress, which relieves the pressure on their body.
People with a grade three or four pressure ulcer will require a more sophisticated mattress or bed system. For example, there are mattresses that can be connected to a constant flow of air, which is automatically regulated to reduce pressure as and when required.Specially designed dressings and bandages can be used to protect pressure ulcers and speed up the healing process. Examples of these types of dressings include:Topical preparations, such as creams and ointments, can be used to help speed up the healing process and prevent further tissue damage. If you have a pressure ulcer, you will not routinely be prescribed antibiotics. These are usually only prescribed to treat an infected pressure ulcer and prevent the infection from spreading. Antiseptic cream may also be applied directly to pressure ulcers to clear out any bacteria that may be present.Certain dietary supplements, such as protein, zinc and vitamin C, have been shown to accelerate wound healing.If your diet lacks these vitamins and minerals, your skin may be more vulnerable to developing pressure ulcers.
As a result of this, you may be referred to a dietitian so that a suitable dietary plan can be drawn up for you.In some cases, it may be necessary to remove dead tissue from the ulcer to help stimulate the healing process. This procedure is known as debridement.If there is a small amount of dead tissue, it may be possible to remove it using specially designed dressings and paste. Larger amounts of dead tissue may be removed using mechanical means. Some mechanical debridement techniques include:A local anaesthetic will be used to numb the area of skin and tissue around the ulcer so that debridement does not cause any pain or discomfort. Maggot therapy, also known as larvae therapy, is an alternative method of debridement. Maggots are ideal for debridement because they feed on dead and infected tissue without touching healthy tissue. They also help to fight infection by releasing substances that kill bacteria and stimulate the healing process.During maggot therapy, the maggots are mixed into a wound dressing and the area is covered with gauze.
After a few days, the dressing is taken off and the maggots are removed.Many people may find the idea of maggot therapy off-putting, but research has found that it is often more effective than more traditional methods of debridement. It's not always possible for a grade three or four pressure ulcer to heal. In such cases, surgery will be required to seal the wound and prevent any further tissue damage occurring.Surgical treatment involves cleaning the wound and closing it by bringing together the edges of the wound (direct closure), or by using tissue moved from a nearby part of the body (flap reconstruction).Pressure ulcer surgery can be challenging, especially because most people who have the procedure are already in a poor state of health. There is a risk of a large number of possible complications occurring after surgery, including:Despite the risks, surgery is often a necessity to prevent life-threatening complications, such as blood poisoning and gangrene (the decay or death of living tissue).