Patient/caregiver was educated on measures to manage and prevent pressure ulcer development as follows:
- Discourage prolonged bedrest and promote ambulation & weight bearing, unless bedrest is medically recommended. Activity and ambulation can help prevent excessive pressure on dependent body parts and thus prevent development of pressure ulcers.
- Change your position frequently, every 15 – 20 minutes, which can help with shifting the weight evenly and prevent excessive pressure on any one spot of the skin, thus helping to prevent pressure ulcer development.
- In individuals with limited independence for position change and compromised ability for ADL performance, caregivers must follow a 30 minute – one hour scheduled pattern for changing the patient’s position in the bed or wheelchair, to avoid any incidents of skin breakdown.
- Wheelchair and bedbound patients must keep a regular close watch for symptoms of evolving pressure ulcers on the skin of dependent body parts, such as, black/blue discoloration, pale color, local changes with temperature, loss of sensitivity, pain, tenderness, swelling, and/or drainage & report them to the health care personnel, to prevent progression of the injury and facilitate an early intervention. Caregivers must extend assistance to watch for symptoms of evolving pressure ulcers, as needed.
