Pressure Injuries (Bedsores)
Pressure injuries, also called bedsores, can start in just hours and take a long time to heal. We treat them where you live and help your caregivers stop new ones from forming.
What is it?
A pressure injury is damage to the skin and the tissue under it. It happens when steady pressure, often over a bony spot, cuts off blood flow. Common spots are the tailbone, hips, heels, ankles, elbows and the back of the head.
Pressure injuries are grouped into stages. Stage 1 is red skin that does not turn pale when pressed. Stage 2 is a shallow open sore or blister. Stages 3 and 4 go deeper into fat, muscle or even bone. Some wounds are “unstageable” because dead tissue covers the base, and a “deep tissue” injury shows as a purple or maroon area under intact skin.
People who cannot move well on their own are most at risk. This includes people who are bedbound, use a wheelchair, are very ill or are recovering from surgery. With good care, many pressure injuries heal, and many new ones can be prevented.
Causes & risk factors
Why it happens
- Lying or sitting in one position for too long
- Friction and shear from sliding down in bed or being pulled across sheets
- Moist skin from sweat, urine or stool
- Poor nutrition or not drinking enough fluids
- Weak or limited movement after a stroke, injury or long illness
- Less feeling in the skin, so pain does not prompt a change in position
How we help
How we treat it where you live
- Stage the injury and measure it at each visit, then send progress notes to your doctor
- Help set up a turning schedule and the right mattress, cushion or heel protectors
- Remove dead tissue when it is safe and ordered by your doctor
- Use dressings that protect the wound and the skin around it
- Teach family and facility staff how to reposition, keep skin clean and spot early warning signs
Treatments
Treatments used for pressure injuries (bedsores)
Your physician orders the treatment. We match it to the wound and adjust it at every visit.
Wound Assessment & Measurement
A careful check of the wound at every visit, so we can see what is working and keep your doctor informed.
Learn moreOffloading & Pressure Relief
Taking pressure off a wound with special boots, shoes, cushions, mattresses and repositioning.
Learn moreDebridement
Removing dead or unhealthy tissue from a wound so healthy tissue can grow.
Learn moreAdvanced Wound Dressings
Modern dressings matched to your wound to manage moisture, protect the skin and fight infection.
Learn moreNegative Pressure Wound Therapy (Wound Vac)
A small pump and sealed foam dressing that gently pull fluid from a wound to help it close.
Learn morePrevention
Helping it heal, and keeping it from coming back
- Change position about every 2 hours in bed, or as often as the care team advises.
- Shift weight often when sitting in a chair or wheelchair.
- Use a pressure-relieving mattress or cushion if one is recommended.
- Keep skin clean and dry, and change wet briefs or linens right away.
- Lift instead of dragging the person when moving them in bed.
- Check the skin every day, and eat and drink well to support the skin.
Get help right away if you notice
- Fever, chills or new confusion in a person with a pressure injury
- Redness, warmth or swelling spreading out from the wound
- Thick, green or foul-smelling drainage
- A wound that suddenly gets much bigger, deeper or darker
For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Questions
Pressure Injuries (Bedsores): common questions
How fast can a bedsore form?
A pressure injury can begin in a few hours when pressure is not relieved. That is why regular turning and skin checks matter so much. Catching red skin early can stop it from opening up.
What do the stages mean?
The stage tells how deep the damage goes. Stage 1 affects the top layer of skin, and stage 4 reaches muscle, tendon or bone. A wound is called unstageable when dead tissue hides the bottom of the wound.
Can you treat bedsores in a nursing home or board-and-care?
Yes. We visit patients in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and board-and-care homes, as well as private homes. We work with the staff so care stays the same between our weekly visits.
Does a pressure injury mean my loved one was neglected?
Not always. Some pressure injuries happen even with good care, especially in people who are very ill or near the end of life. If you have concerns about care, talk with the facility and the doctor.
Ready to get a wound looked at?
Tell us about the wound and we will call you to schedule a visit at home or at the facility. Physicians and facilities can send a referral online or by fax.