Pressure sores, as the name suggests, are sores caused by unrelieved pressure. Continuous pressure, in turn, compromises blood flow to that area and causes tissue death or necrosis. In five percent of the cases, pressure sores can not be prevented but in almost all other cases, if adequate precautions are taken, it should not progress beyond grade I.
To best understand the progression of these sores, a grading system has been devised.
PRESSURE SORES
They are graded on a scale of 1 to 5.
Grade I: Discoloration of the skin.
Grade II: Any tissue damage takes it to grade two.
Grade III & IV: Subsequently, further deepening of the wound.
Grade V: Transforms into an ulcer and the damage done is considered to be irreversible.
This grading system will tell you how far the pressure sores have progressed and what should be the subsequent line of treatment.
Pressure sores create so much of havoc in terms of delayed recovery and prolonged hospital stay that the risk assessment should ideally be done right at the time of a patient's hospital admission. The Waterlow assessment technique effectively identifies high risk patients.
The ideal scenario would be to prevent pressure sores from developing at all costs. Therefore, if you have a sick or an ailing person to take care of, body inspection on a regular basis should become an integral part of the treatment. The only way to keep sores at bay is frequent turning and repositioning and by frequent, I mean, once every two hours.
Keep an eye on the appearance of any symptoms. Here are some of the tell tale signs:
Skin tends to get discolored due to pressure sores. In fair people, the skin starts to turn reddish while in dark skinned people, it starts getting a purplish hue. An Increase in temperature over the discolored area is noticed. The affected area may have swelling, tenderness and eventually pus discharge. Later, if adequate care is not given, the pus might become infected and will give out foul smelling odor.
So what should be the plan of action?
A few steps can go a long way in preventing prevent pressure sores. The patient should be positioned properly and should be turned on the bed regularly. Cleanliness of the skin is of utmost importance. Appropriate use of pressure relieving products is also suggested.
However, if a sore develops, despite all precautions, then even greater care should be taken to keep that area free of any pressure. Regular cleansing and dressing of the area has to be ensured. In some cases, necrosed or dead tissue has to be excised in order to keep a check on the spread of infection. Wounds can be treated with laser, infra red rays and ultra violet rays for faster healing.
In highly compromised patients, just changing their position at regular intervals, may not suffice. Such cases require the utilization of pressure relieving mattresses and pads. These days you get cushions filled with air, gel, water or foam. Water beds are available in the market that can be highly beneficial. There are pressure release wheelchairs that tilt backwards in order to provide pressure relief. Foam pad or sheepskin or memory pad are some of the cheaper alternatives that can be used if you can't afford something too expensive.
Pressure Sore - Prevention and Appropriate Treatment PRESSURE SORES
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