The damage caused on the skin by the pressure against bony areas due to constant lying and inactivity is called as bedsores, or pressure ulcers. This health problems that is more likely to be seen in persons who have immobility and confined in bed or wheelchair or in seniors, extremely fat or thin persons may develop only in three days. Its treatment, however, may last longer than three months. Medical Center’s Homecare Specialist Dr. Tayyar Vardar, emphasizing that almost 300 thousand bed-confined patients in Turkey face the risk of bedsores, drew attention to the fact that the number of those who complain from bedsores increase particularly in summer months during which the weather gets hotter.
Dr. Tayyar Vardar, explaining that the bedsore development can be reduced by 70% by means of the measures to be taken prior to summer period, suggested that the bedsores can be no longer a problem by means of an accurate and professional care at home.
The cure to wound is the provision of an accurate homecare
Dr. Tayyar Vardar, telling that the bedsores affecting people’s lives adversely, detaching them from social life and having psychological effects are being encountered in the patients who are confined to bed in hospitals or stay in extensive care unit for prolonged periods, suggested that the care services to be provided at home develops effective results towards the problem. Tayyar Vardar, emphasizing that the problem develops in three days and is hard to notice, said: “In case of bed confined patients who receive homecare services, the physicians carry out general assessments on regular basis and the risk factors in each patient are determined. Required measures are taken and applied by the physician who controls the treatment plan of the patient and by a nurse who is specialized in wound care. By means of that method, the development of bedsores can be avoided. Bedsores may be reduced minimum by 50% by means of the application of preventive measures on the patients under risk.”
The problem has increased compared to previous years
Medical Center’s Homecare Specialist Tayyar Vardar, noting that most of the bed confined patients carry a significant risk of developing bedsores, said that there are researches evidencing that the frequency of encountering the problem in our country has increased by 10% when compared to previous years. Dr. Tayyar Vardar said: “Bedsores are considered to be a serious health problem throughout the world. It is a health issue that is being encountered in bed confined patients over 65.When we take into account the fact that the senior population in our country is increasing, it is possible to suggest that bedsores may become a serious problem in the future and give rise to significant costs. The importance of the measures to be taken accordingly must be well-known.” Dr. Tayyar Vardar, told that the following measures must be taken at home against the problem that increases in these times of the years during which the weather starts to get hot:
- Patient’s skin must be kept clean and it must not be dry or too moist.
- The skin damage that may occur due to friction may be reduced by lifting the patient instead of dragging when changing the position in bed
- Air mattresses must necessarily be used for bed confined patients, whereas opinion of specialists must be considered when choosing the air mattress.
- Relieving the site under pressure is the most important of the preventive measures and the position must be changed frequently. The patient must be turned at least once in every two hours.
- Attention must be paid for avoiding the friction forces on the skin while changing position, whereas transfer supports must be used in order to reduce friction forces.
- Attention must be paid on the patient’s diet.
- Skin integrity of the patient must be checked in regular intervals and necessary measures must be taken against infections.
- Available infections must be handled and necessary laboratory examinations must be carried out regularly.
- General status of the patient must be assessed in details by professional homecare specialists. Further information regarding homecare and health services can be reached at www.istanbulmedicalcenter.com
