What Are the Best Ways To Prevent Bed Sores in Nursing Homes?

A bedsore is medically classified as a decubitus ulcer, and it is an injury that does not occur overnight. These are pressure ulcers that happen when there is prolonged pressure on an area of the skin. According to data collected by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, around 2.5 million people in the U.S. alone suffer from bedsores each year. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent bed sores in nursing home residents.

Understanding the risk factors associated with developing bedsores should be part of the prevention protocols. This blog explores those factors and provides prevention tips.

Common Sites for Pressure Ulcers

If left untreated, a bedsore can cause severe pain and a significant decline in a nursing home resident’s quality of life. It can also potentially develop into a life-threatening condition such as gangrene.

Here are common sites of pressure ulcers include:

• Shoulder blades and spine
• Tailbone or buttocks
• Backs of legs and arms where they rest against a wheelchair
• Back or sides of the head
• Hips, lower back, or tailbone
• Heels, ankles, and skin behind the knees

When you visit your loved one in a nursing home, you’ll want to look for the warning signs of a bedsore, which can include changes in skin color, swelling, drainage resembling pus, and tenderness in the affected areas. Pressure ulcers can range from minor changes in skin color to more severe injuries that could affect the resident’s muscles and bones.

What Causes Bedsores in Nursing Homes?

Part of prevention is understanding how bedsores are caused. One major factor is persistent shearing, which occurs when the resident’s body moves in opposing directions with a surface such as a bed or chair. Constant pressure that reduces the blood flow to the affected area is also a cause. Finally, ongoing friction from rubbing skin against bedding or clothing can manifest as bedsores.

Here are the underlying risk factors that you also have to take into account:

• Advanced Age
• Vascular Disease
• Immobility
• Incontinence
• Obesity
• Loss of Sensation
• Dehydration and malnutrition
• Prevention Tips

The key to preventing bedsores is consistent care. For instance, a wheelchair user should ideally be repositioned every 15 to 20 minutes. That can happen on their own or with the assistance of a caregiver. If the resident has the strength, they can perform slight wheelchair push-ups to alleviate pressure. Specially designed cushions, filled with air, water, or gel, can also reduce the pressure.

Residents who are confined to a bed should also get into the habit of moving every 15 to 20 minutes. Medical devices such as trapeze bars and slide sheets can help reposition the resident. Just as there are special cushions for a wheelchair, there are also special mattresses that are water, foam, or gel filled.

Checking In

You should get into the habit of asking your loved one if they “moved around today.” We have more details about preventing bedsores that you should familiarize yourself with. If a bedsore does develop, it could be a clear indication of neglect. At that point, you need to alert the nursing home administrator. You might also want to speak with an attorney specializing in this type of incident to understand all your options.