Bedsore Treatment
Depending upon the stage and the location of the bedsore, the hospital staff may employ one or more treatment options in order to prevent the bedsore from worsening, and to encourage healing. Because the individual circumstances surrounding any bedsore will vary, it is important to get advice from a qualified healthcare professional who understands the various treatment options and can make the best suggestions for treatments that will speed healing and minimize pain and discomfort.
Bedsore Treatment: Stage I and Stage II
In most cases, the treatment for bedsores that are at Stage I or a mild Stage II is to simply alleviate the pressure and allow the body to heal naturally, while maintaining a regular turning schedule in order to prevent further bedsores from developing. For wheelchair bound patients, this means movement every fifteen minutes, and for bedridden patients, this means turning at least every two hours. As long as there is no open wound, the area can be washed with mild soap and water, taking care not to damage the skin. Most Stage I bedsores resolve themselves within a few weeks, given appropriate care. You may want to speak with the doctor about a nutrition assessment as well, if it is determined that there is a risk of further bedsores.
Stage II bedsores should not be cleaned with soap and water, but they should be cleansed with saline solution whenever the dressing is changed. The use of antiseptics can damage underlying tissue, and further delay the healing process. In general, most Stage II bedsores are treated conservatively, as are Stage I bedsores, with turning schedules and wound cleansing taking up the majority of the treatment regimen. Other additional measures that may be taken at this stage include nutritional programs and the use of specialized bedding and/or cushions to ensure proper support while bedridden.
Bedsore Treatment: Stage III and Stage IV
When bedsores have progressed to Stage III, more aggressive measures of treatment are necessary in order to see a definite improvement in the condition. Along with the turning schedule and a comprehensive nutritional support program, other treatments are usually necessary in order to increase the chance that a Stage III bedsore will heal. Debridement, or the removal of dead and damaged tissue, can allow the bedsore to heal more fully. There are several methods of debridement, with surgical being the most invasive and potentially painful, while high pressure irrigation debridement is less invasive, but still potentially beneficial as a means to remove dead tissue. The least aggressive method involves applying enzymes that remove the dead tissue by breaking it down gradually.
Surgical treatment involves repairing the bedsore through aggressive debridement that removes surrounding living tissue, not just dead and damaged tissue. The resulting wound is repaired using a pad of muscle, skin, or other tissue which allows the area to heal. Surgery carries the most risks, and there is a danger of recurrent bedsores during the recovery process from surgery itself.
Despite all the treatment options available, the best course of action when it comes to bedsores is prevention. Be certain that your hospital of choice has a bedsore prevention plan in place, and don’t be afraid to ask for details on their assessment policies and procedures as well.