Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, are the painful condition that occurs when constant pressure is applied to soft tissue. They are most often the result of a patient being bedridden and unable to change positions of their own volition. Besides being extremely painful, bed sores can lead to many dangerous complications for sufferers, including osteomyelitis (a bone infection), sepsis (whole-body inflammation), anemia, and gangrene. Here is a brief guide on how you can help keep a bedridden patient from developing this extremely uncomfortable and dangerous condition.
Proper Nutrition
A critical but often forgotten aspect of keeping patients protected from bed sores is making sure that they receive adequate amounts of protein, calories, and vitamin C. Many studies have revealed that patients with a healthy diet and high levels of vitamin C are both less likely to develop bed sores and quicker to recover from them than those with deficiencies. Getting the right nutrients should be a given for all hospital patients, because proper nutrition is such an important factor for overall health. However, if a patient is found to be developing pressure ulcers frequently, their nutritional intake should be investigated and, if necessary, supplemented with vitamins.
Frequent Position Shifts
The most important step to take in avoiding the development or worsening of a bed sore is to frequently redistribute pressure by shifting and turning the patient's position at regular intervals. Since this idea was developed in the 1940s by British neurologist Ludwig Guttmann, the standard practice has been to administer these shifts every two hours. However, despite the revolutionary improvements this method has added to the hospital world, the two-hour rule might not be best for all patients, depending on their conditions. If possible, specific conditions and circumstances should be taken into account when determining how often a patient should be moved.
Fresh Linens
The easiest way to prevent pressure ulcers, and thus the least excusable to overlook, is to make sure that patients are resting on fresh linens. The best way to ensure that your linens are as fresh as possible is by recruiting a professional laundry service to take care of the job for you. Expertly washed sheets will have bedridden patients resting as easily and comfortably as possible, and you can rest assured that you have done your best to protect them. Though this should go without being stated, be sure that linens, once cleaned, are changed regularly and perhaps more often than usual for patients who are unable to change position on their own.