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Information On Nursing Homes and Bed SoresThe most common problem found in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are bed sores (also known as pressure ulcers, pressure sores, or decubitus ulcers). According to a 2004 report conducted by the United States Department of Health & Human services, there are currently 1.5 million Americans living in nursing homes across the country, 159,000 of which are currently suffering from various stages of bed sores. Bed Sores occur on parts of the body under continuous pressure for an extended period of time. This constant pressure cuts off circulation to these areas of the body. Without adequate blood flow the affected tissue dies and bed sores form. The most common cause of bed sores occur from a resident lying in bed, sitting in a wheelchair or wearing a cast for a prolonged period of time. Bed sores also form when residents are paralyzed, unconscious, unable to sense pain or immobile. While bed sores can form on any area of the body, the most common places on the body where these ulcers are found include the tail bone, hip, back, elbow, back of the head, heel and ankle. Can Bed Sores Be Treated?When a bed sore is left untreated the skin can crack and break open, causing serious infections such as osteomyelitis, sepsis, and necrotizing fasciitis. However, if the bed sore is treated as soon as it appears, it can be healed before more serious health problems occur. There are several treatment methods available for bed sores. These treatments usually depend on the severity of the sore and can range from simple cleaning, to the surgical removal of damaged tissue.Keeping the wound clean and free of foreign debris is one of the most common ways to treat bed sores. When the skin has broken, the risk for infection increases greatly. Keeping the area clean and changing a resident’s bed linen, clothes and bandages, as well as proper daily hygienic maintenance are key factors in preventing infections. Keeping the wound hydrated is also a good step in the prevention of infections. Allowing moisture to surround the bed sore will promote the formation of granulation tissue (the fibrous connective tissue that replaces a clot in healing wounds.) Additionally, a healthy diet is key to tissue re-growth. In patients who have bed sores, proper nutrition is essential. Bed sore patients who have lost 15 pounds or more of lean body mass will have a very difficult time reproducing the tissue needed in order for the wound to heal completely. These patients require an additional caloric intake each day, as well as increased amount of protein in their diet, in order to ensure the new disuse will develop and heal the wound correctly. |