Ways CNA's Can Help Alleviate Bed Sores

CNA's can help alleviate bed sores in people at risk. These include, among others, wheelchair-bound individuals and people confined to beds. CNA's are wonderfully trained angels giving comfort and care to people. As these nursing aids handle the day-to-day care of patients in hospitals, institutions, rehabilitation centers and care facilities and homebound individuals, the aids are the eyes, ears and hands of doctors and nurses. A certified nursing assistant degree is the first step to joining the lucrative healthcare industry and helping people. The process to this exciting new career is quick, positions are available almost everywhere and the rewards are endless.

CNA's

PRESSURE SORES STAGES

Certified nursing assistant training is available at many hospitals, community colleges, on the Internet and through the Red Cross Organization in about 25 states. Although some facilities offer on-the-job training, other hospitals will pay for training if employees work for the hospital for a set time. States issue CNA's licenses acquiring certification and testing.

Understanding Bed Sores

Bed sores are also call pressure sores or pressure ulcers. Skin and underlying tissue is compressed and damaged. These frequently occur in bony areas like ankles, buttocks, heels and hips.

Ways CNA's Can Help Alleviate Bed Sores

These caring individuals are trained in all aspects of human care. This includes knowing which patients are more susceptible to these injuries and what to look for. Healthcare professionals lift people carefully. Finally, they help people change positions and make sure bedding and other material is tucked around them.

Unlike people who are mobile, individuals in wheelchairs or beds remain in the same or similar positions. This is especially dangerous for the elderly as their skin is thinner. These trained technicians of the human anatomy know where the body is susceptible to injury. For example, sitting in a wheelchair puts pressure on tailbone, buttocks, shoulder blades and spine. People lying flat in bed also develop bed sores on their heads, rims of ears and lower backs.

Bed sores have four stages. The first is a blemish that does not whiten when touched and can be painful, firm, soft, warmer or cooler than the surrounding skin. Stage II is an open wound or a swelling with fluid. When the wound keeps growing, it reaches stage III. Stage IV is even deeper opening often exposing muscles, bones and tendons.

Shifting positions, carefully moving people and avoiding dragging any material across the body are ways CNA's can help alleviate bed sores. Simply by changing the posture of the patient periodically throughout the day reduces pressure point problems. Gently lifting patients eliminates painful contact between harder surfaces and skin, tissue and bones. Finally, these medical employees avoid friction by tucking blankets and sheets around the body instead of tugging them into place.

With training and on-the-job education, CNA's can help alleviate bed sores. These quickly trained care providers qualify for lucrative jobs almost everywhere in the expanding healthcare field. Although these healing angels bring comfort to injured, ill or handicapped individuals and their families, their real value is the help they give doctors and nurses.

Ways CNA's Can Help Alleviate Bed Sores

PRESSURE SORES STAGES