Bed sores are injuries to the skin and the underlying tissues. They occur from prolonged pressure on the skin. The skin typically affected is that skin that covers bony areas of the body. These areas include, but are not limited to, heels, ankles, hips, or buttocks. People with medical conditions that limit their movements and require the use of a wheelchair, or patients that are bedridden, sustain the highest risk of developing bed sores or pressure ulcers. Those in nursing homes sometimes develop them from nursing home neglect and abuse. When a patients movement is limited, caregivers have to follow certain protocols to make sure these painful and dangerous bed sores and pressure ulcers are prevented.
Unfortunately, bed sores and pressure ulcers do occur. When these bed sores do occur, surgery or skin removal is often the route to recovery. There are a variety of options regarding skin removal and having a whole treatment team and plan in place can be very helpful. There are also non-surgical treatments that can be very helpful.
Interventions That May be Used to Halt Bed Sores
Below is a list of interventions that can help halt the development of dangerous and often fatal bed sores and pressure ulcers.
Pain Management
Pain Management is one very important non surgical intervention that is necessary in effectively healing a patient that has aquired a bed sore. Pain is a serious problem with bed sores and often the treatment is very painful as well. Therefore, proper pain management helps in the recovery process. Ibuprofen and naproxen are helpful anti-inflammatory drugs. They can be particularly useful when the patient is having debridement of the tissue, and dressings that need to be changed.
Antibiotics
Bed sores and pressure ulcers can become infected since they are open wounds. These infections can lead to many dangerous complications. Therefore, antibiotics may be necessary. Topical or oral antibiotics may be used according to the discrection of the treating physician.
Diet
Diet can also be another great intervention for those suffering from bed sores and pressure ulcers. In fact, an appropriate diet can help prevent a person from aquiring them in the first place. Appropriate nutrition and hydration can help promote wound healing. High protein diets, as well as those rich in vitamins and minerals are very beneficial. Sometimes, dietary supplements such as vitamin C and zinc are also ordered.
Muscle Spasm Relief
With the help of prescribed medications, muscle spasm relief can also be a useful intervention in the right patient. Sometimes, muscle relaxants can help reduce muscle spasms and help enable healing. Muscle spasms can worsen bed sores due to friction or shearing when they occur. The use of diazepam (Valium), tizanidine (Zanaflex), or other related prescriptions can be useful to curtail this effect. Of course, this course of action would be guided by the patient’s physician.
Bed Sore Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia
Our lawyers want to make the public aware of some of the dangers that can come from nurisng home neglect. Bed Sores and Pressure Ulcers are one sign of neglect and abuse that takes place in nursing homes and long term care facilities nationwide. Your knowledge of the symptoms and treatments of bed sores can make all the difference for your loved one. If you feel that proper care has not been given, however, further action may be necesary to protect the patient’s rights.
Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-066 in New Jersey, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.