Prevention of Bedsores, Pressure Ulcers and Decubitus Ulcers
Prevention is the key when dealing with bedsores, pressure ulcers and decubitus ulcers. Repositioning is crucial to staving off the development and/or further deterioration of decubitus ulcers (a.k.a. “bedsores”). This entails the simple act of shifting the residences body to alleviate pressure on certain parts of the body in order to avoid skin breakdown. Federal and state regulations for nursing homes require residence at risk of developing decubitus ulcers, and those who already have the ulcers, be turned at least every two hours. Due to staff shortages and/or staff incompetence repositioning often does not occur within the two hour time period. The consequences of this failure can be horrific. A small ulcer resembling a minor abrasion can quickly deteriorated into a very painful gaping wound that requires surgery.
