Bedsore Treatment in Maryland Nursing Homes
Bedsores are common among nursing home patients, especially those who are bedridden or suffering from mobility impairment. Fortunately, they are usually easy to treat and prevent, and most nursing home employees know how to care for patients suffering from bedsores.
Prevention is always the first line of treatment in bedsore treatment in Maryland nursing homes, but if caretaker notices a patient suffering from bedsores, they must act swiftly and contact a medical professional.
Treating bedsores is relatively easy, at least from a medical perspective, but some bedsores may require surgery or more complex and expensive treatments. These bedsores are usually deep or infected, and they may only be treatable in a hospital setting.
Frequent bedsores are often a sign of neglect in a nursing home, and if bedsores often appear on the skin of your loved one, you may be in an unsafe environment.
Cleaning and Dressing Bedsores
Cleaning and dressing are the most commonly prescribed bedsore treatment in Maryland nursing homes, and in most facilities, cleaning and dressing sores serve as the first-line treatment. It is important to act quickly when treating a bedsore, especially since the longer it is neglected, the more likely an infection will set in.
If the bedsore is not located on or near broken skin, it can be cleaned with a gentle soap and warm water. If the sore is open, caretakers may need to use a saline solution during each cleaning.
Bandages work by keeping a wound moist and protected from outside germs and debris. It also keeps surrounding skin dry, and once a sore is properly cleaned, a dressing can be applied. Films, gels, foams, and gauzes are commonly used to dress wounds, and a doctor may prescribe a combination of the previously mentioned dressings.
Other Treatment Options
Sometimes, simply cleaning and dressing a bedsore is not enough. The longer a bedsore is left untreated, the more likely it will cause additional medical complications, such as bacterial infections and tissue loss. For individuals suffering from severe bedsores, the following interventions may be necessary for recovery:
- Anti-infection drugs – Antibiotic and topical drugs may be given to patients suffering from infected bedsores. These drugs kill infection-causing bacteria and help sores heal.
- Pain relievers – Bedsores can be painful, especially if they develop in sensitive areas. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and pain levels.
- Negative pressure therapy – Also known as vacuum-assisted closure (VAC), negative pressure therapy uses suction to thoroughly clean a wound.
- Surgery – If a person develops a large, infected bedsore, surgery to repair skin, bone, and other tissues may be needed. Surgical tools can be used to close the wound and cushion the deteriorating bone or muscle.
Surgery is typically reserved for the most extreme bedsore cases, but NSAIDs and antibiotics are prescribed for most run-of-the-mill sores. Medical professionals also recommend patients eat a healthy diet to assist with the rebuilding of tissue, skin, and muscle.
It is important to note, however, that most bedsores can be prevented simply by turning patients occasionally to ensure they do not remain in one position.
Discuss Bedsore Treatment in Maryland Nursing Homes
Treating bedsores may be relatively simple, but nursing homes should be committed to preventing their patients from developing them. Immobile and bedridden patients should be helped to move about and those who do develop sores should be treated immediately by a medical professional.
Get in touch with an attorney today discuss the issue of bedsore treatment in Maryland nursing homes.
