General Procedures

General procedures cover the accepted practices during the evaluation, prevention, reassessment, treatment, and rehabilitation stages when dealing with bedsores and bedsore prevention. Each of these areas has specific tasks which should be completed, ideally in an expedient and professional manner that is consistent from patient to patient in order to provide the highest quality care. If you feel that the level of care provided by the hospital is not adequate, there are several avenues to explore with regards to resolution of the problem. However, in most cases problems can be solved simply by speaking to a member of the hospital staff or management. If you have concern about any of the following stages, and should take the appropriate steps necessary to find solution as soon as possible, because bedsores will only worsen with time.

Bedsore Evaluation

Bedsore evaluation should always be in the form of a clinically recognized assessment. This allows for standardized evaluations that are still tailored to the individual patient. By using the same assessment tool, such as the Braden Scale, it allows medical professionals to implement changes with regards to multiple patients if procedural adjustments are necessary for those with a certain level of bedsore risk. At the least, the evaluation should take into account the sensory perception of the patient, the level of moisture the skin may be subject to, the amount of physical activity the patient can undergo, along with mobility and nutrition issues.

Bedsore Prevention

The bedsore prevention plan should be integrated along with any other necessary care and treatment. The instructions for bedsore prevention should be clear, concise, and easy for nursing staff to understand. There should be a system of checks and accountability in place that ensures hospital staff performs the tasks as assigned on a regular, consistent basis.

Bedsore Reassessment

Every so often, the patient should be reassessed on the same scale that was used for the initial evaluation. If any significant changes are found with regards to the risk of bedsores, adjustments should be made in the care and prevention plan. If the hospital resident develops a bedsore during this time, preventive measures should be reassessed on the spot.

Bedsore Treatment

Treatment options for bedsores should be proactive and incorporate all of the various tools that the physician and the hospital have at their disposal. A comprehensive treatment option should address the risk factors found in the evaluation period. Care should be taken to heal the bedsore as soon as it is discovered, ideally while it is still in Stage I and easily treatable.

Rehabilitation

During the healing process, a support network of professionals and family members is important to help with the rehabilitation process. Bedsores are painful, and can be a source of embarrassment and depression. By combining physical support with social and emotional support, hospital patients have the best chance at making a full recovery.

You should find out where your hospital stands on these types of procedures before you are admitted, if at all possible. By choosing a hospital that has established policies in place for bedsore prevention, you have the best chance of being cared for by personnel who have been educated about bedsores and trained thoroughly on their prevention.