Pressure sore care is a process that includes the prevention of skin and underlying tissue damage, as well as the treatment of existing pressure sores.
Pressure sores develop when constant pressure is applied to one area of the body for a long period of time. They are especially common in patients who are bedridden, immobile, or have limited mobility.
Main Principles of Pressure Sore Care
Pressure sore care includes:
- Reducing pressure on the affected areas
- Changing the patient’s body position regularly
- Maintaining clean and dry skin
- Following aseptic and antiseptic care principles
- Preventing infection with antiseptic solutions and sterile dressings
What Does Pressure Sore Care Include?
1. Changing the Patient’s Position
The patient should be turned every 2 hours to prevent pressure from building up on one area of the body.
Regular repositioning helps reduce the risk of new pressure sores and supports healing of existing wounds.
2. Skin Protection
Skin care is an essential part of pressure sore prevention.
This includes:
- Gently drying the skin after washing
- Quickly changing the patient after urine or stool contamination
- Using protective barrier creams when needed
- Keeping the skin clean, dry, and protected
3. Medical Mattresses and Support Cushions
Special medical mattresses and soft cushions may be used to reduce pressure on vulnerable areas of the body.
These are especially important for long-term bedridden patients.
4. Wound Care
If a pressure sore has already developed, wound care may include:
- Regular wound assessment
- Cleaning the wound with sterile saline solution
- Applying appropriate medical dressings, such as hydrocolloid, hydrogel, alginate, or other dressings recommended by a healthcare professional
- Monitoring for signs of infection
5. Monitoring for Infection
It is important to observe the wound and surrounding skin for signs of infection, including:
- Redness
- Unpleasant smell
- Increased pain
- Swelling
- Fever
- Discharge from the wound
If any of these signs appear, a doctor should be contacted.
Nutrition and Hydration
Proper nutrition and hydration are important for skin healing and tissue regeneration.
The patient should receive enough protein, fluids, vitamins, and nutrients according to their condition and the doctor’s recommendation.
Professional Home Nursing Care
Your Family Nurse — NMS 24/7 provides pressure sore care at home according to the patient’s condition and medical recommendation.
Our nurses help with hygiene, repositioning, wound care, infection prevention, and regular monitoring of the patient’s condition.