🛌 WHAT Are Bed Sores?
Bed sores are skin and tissue injuries caused by prolonged pressure on one area—usually on:
- Back
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Heels
- Elbows
They occur when blood flow is reduced due to constant pressure, especially in patients who are bedridden, paralyzed, or very weak.
🎯 OBJECTIVE of Bed Sore Prevention & Care
- 🛡️ Prevent sores from forming in high-risk areas
- 🩹 Promote healing of existing wounds
- 🧼 Maintain hygiene to reduce risk of infection
- 🛏️ Improve comfort and dignity of the patient
- 💉 Avoid complications like infections, sepsis, or hospitalization
🌟 FEATURES of Bed Sore Prevention and Care
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 🔄 Regular repositioning | Change lying/sitting position every 2–3 hours |
| 🛏️ Anti-bed sore mattress | Air or water beds to reduce pressure |
| 🧼 Skin hygiene | Keep skin clean and dry; use mild cleansers |
| 🩹 Wound dressing | Sterile dressings for open sores |
| 💊 Topical medication | Antibiotic creams, ointments, or healing gels |
| 🧽 Use of cushions/pads | Foam cushions under bony areas |
| 📈 Nutrition & hydration | High-protein diet and plenty of water |
| 📋 Monitoring & documentation | Track progress and report to doctor |
🌱 NATURE of Service
- 👩⚕️ Done by trained caregivers or home nurses
- 🏡 Can be provided at home, nursing center, or hospital
- ⏱️ Requires daily care and monitoring
- ⚕️ Involves medical-grade products and sterile methods
- 📆 May be short-term (post-op) or long-term (chronic illness)
✅ ADVANTAGES
| Advantage | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 🛡️ Prevents complications | Avoids deep sores, infection, and hospitalization |
| 🧘 Improves comfort | Less pain and irritation |
| 💰 Cost-effective | Home care avoids expensive hospital visits |
| 👨👩👧👦 Family relief | Reduces stress of manual wound care |
| 🧑⚕️ Early detection | Helps address Stage 1-2 ulcers before they worsen |
🩺 Stages of Bed Sores
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Redness or discoloration, skin intact |
| 2️⃣ | Skin broken, blister or shallow ulcer |
| 3️⃣ | Deep ulcer, may reach fat tissue |
| 4️⃣ | Deep wound exposing muscle/bone |
Stage 1–2: Can often be treated at home
Stage 3–4: Needs professional nursing + doctor’s supervision