There is a problem at many hospitals, nursing homes, and
rehabilitation centers. I’m talking about pressure ulcers, specifically,
hospital acquired pressure ulcers. As you are all aware, pressure ulcers occur
because these patients are not able to move independently, especially those
suffering with neurological or cognitive impairments and the elderly. Many are
no longer able reposition themselves in bed or in a wheelchair. Often, they
have to lay in bed waiting for someone come and position them from side to
side. Some are unable to feed themselves which contributes to the problem and
increases their risk of getting a pressure ulcer because of the nutritional and
hydration deficiencies. Many of these patients are incontinent and the amount
of time that they have to sit in urine or feces contributes to the problem as
well. These pressure ulcers appear to be painful, grotesque, and have a great risk
of acquiring an infection and as the population rises the problem so does the
problem.
What can be done? I believe that most of the hospital staff
does what they can to prevent pressure ulcers using various preventative techniques
from repositioning the patient often, using pressure relieving mattresses,
making sure the patient is well-hydrated, eating appropriately, and being
cleaned up after an incidence of incontinence. I still feel that more can be
done and quite frankly I think it has to be done for the quality of life for
these patients!
Hospitals and other facilities spend thousands of dollars on
each patient attempting to heal a pressure wound, but wouldn’t it be better if
the pressure ulcers were prevented before they begin. In the attached article
they highlight there prophylactic use of dressings for pressure ulcer to
prevent pressures. They also discuss how the facilities have a “shift in
culture from cure to prevention”. In the article it says “Of the 93 patients
were included in the study, 41 were identified as high risk. None of them
developed a pressure-related injury.” The article goes on to say “The unit has
demonstrated excellent outcomes. PUs are no longer seen as inevitable, and
rather than requiring very ‘high-tech’ interventions, the simple prophylactic
application of a dressing in conjunction with other PU prevention strategies
can contribute to their prevention on the sacral and heel areas.” Wow! This is
the type of facility that I want to be a part of.
