Decubitus Ulcers


Decubitus ulcers, are areas of broken skin that can develop in people who:
  • ·         Have been confined to bed for extended periods of time
  • ·         Are unable to move for short periods of time, especially if they are thin or have blood vessel disease or neurological diseases
  • ·         Use a wheelchair or bedside chair.

Diagnosis of a Decubitus Ulcer
Medical personnel may take samples of the pressure ulcer tissue and fluid to look for bacteria or cancer. They may also do blood cultures, bone scans or other tests depending on the seriousness of the ulcer. In addition, they will evaluate the condition of the ulcer according to:
  • The size of the decubitus ulcer and depth of the crater
  • What kind of tissue is affected by the ulcer: skin, bone, or muscle
  • The color of the ulcer and skin around it
  • The tissue death caused by the ulcer
  • The presence of infection, bleeding or foul odor
Treatment of Decubitus Ulcers
Depending on the stage of the ulcer, treatment can include some or all of the following:
  • Cleaning the ulcer and putting a dressing on the wound
  • Meticulous wound care with frequent dressing changes
  • Reducing pressure on the area by repositioning and using supporting surfaces
  • Antibacterial drugs to treat infection
  • Pain medications to relieve discomfort
  • Debridement surgery to remove dead tissue from the ulcer
  • Diet changes and increased fluid intake for faster recovery
Symptoms of Decubitus Ulcers
Bedsores are classified into stages, depending on the severity of skin damage:
Stage I
In people with darker skin, the patch may be red, purple or blue and may be more difficult to detect. The skin may be tender or itchy, and may feel warm or cold and firm.
Stage II 
The injured skin blisters or develops an open sore or abrasion that does not extend through the full thickness of the skin. There may be a surrounding area of red or purple discoloration, mild swelling and some oozing.
Stage III 
The ulcer becomes a crater and that goes below the skin surface.
Stage IV 
The crater deepens and reaches into a muscle, bone, tendon or joint.

Wound Care Reference

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