What causes a pressure injury?
Pressure injuries occur when your skin is pressed on a surface for too long, causing reduced blood flow to the
skin. When this happens, the tissue may die and cause a pressure injury to develop. The most at-risk areas
are over bony parts of the body, such as the tailbone, elbows, heels, hips and shoulders.
You may find yourself spending more time in bed or in a chair. We encourage you to take every opportunity
to exercise your body and regain your strength. Along the way, we want to be sure that you do not develop
any skin injury.
Be active in your healthcare! If you notice any reddened, purple, painful, or sore areas, notify your healthcare
team as soon as possible.
Here are some things you can do to avoid skin problems:
- While in bed, change your position at least every two hours. The team will assist you if you are unable to turn on your own.
- While sitting in a chair, shift your weight at least every hour. If you can’t move yourself, ask one of us to help you.
- Exercise to stay as strong and flexible as possible. Ask for assistance before you attempt to move about.
- Sometimes turning in bed, sitting in a chair or taking a walk can seem difficult because of discomfort or fatigue. Talk to your care team to discuss options to improve your comfort while keeping you moving.
- Eat a balanced diet and drink fluids to maintain healthy skin and help heal any wounds.
- Discuss your toileting habits with your team so that we can keep your skin clean and dry.
In addition, here are some things your caregivers can do to assist you with avoiding skin injury:
- We may use special foam preventative dressings that can be applied to your tailbone or heels.
- A barrier cream or spray and special under pads may be used to protect your skin from moisture. Diapers are discouraged as they don’t support keeping your skin healthy.
- We may provide special products during your stay that can help reduce pressure on your
skin. These may include special mattresses, chair cushions, heel boots and turning wedges. Avoid donut-shaped cushions, which do not redistribute pressure adequately.
We are committed to keeping you and your skin healthy during your stay. Please ask us any questions you may have regarding your care.
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