A Simple Guide To Pressure Injuries, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

This book describes Pressure Injuries, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases

A pressure injury (also named a bedsore, pressure ulcer, pressure sore or decubitus ulcer) is a spot of injured skin.

Pressure injuries or wounds to the skin and underlying tissue, normally develop at the bony areas of the body, and happen when one or more of these pressure forces are applied to the skin.

Pressure injuries are common in those laying on the bed especially the elderly
There are areas of friction and constant pressure on the skin blood supply
The results are breakdown of skin and ulcerations
As a result of constant skin irritations and infections

First there is redness of the irritated skin
Next the skin becomes hot and starts blistering
Then the skin bubble breaks and forms an ulcer
Pain occurs when there is damage to the muscle

The infection spread to the fat tissues causing inflammation
Finally the damage affects the bone resulting in septicemia
The bone and joint is damaged by the infection
At this stage there may be fever and general inflammation

Treatment is by debridement of the pressure injury sores and strong antibiotic
Surgical treatment and skin grafting may be necessary but traumatic
Prevention is by using talcum powder on dry skin
Together with the body being regularly turning

-An original poem by Kenneth Kee

Pressure injuries are produced when a force is applied to the skin, causing injury to the tissue.

Constant pressure on the skin happens from staying in the same position for a prolonged period of time.

When the skin is “pressed” between a bone inside the body and an external surface for long durations, the blood supply to the skin is decreased.

The skin becomes damaged when the lack of blood induces the skin cells to die.

This can happen from sitting or lying down for long durations, or from persistent use of a medical device that presses onto the skin.

Shear injury or a dragging force can happen when the head of the bed is raised and the body slides down.

The skin is stuck to the bed sheets but internal structures of the skin are injured.

When the skin is pulled or scrapes against another surface, the force produced injures the outer layers of the skin, weakening the skin and making it more susceptible to injury.

This can happen when pulling someone up a bed, and the heels are towed across the sheets.

Pressure injury happens when the pressure force is applied on the surface of the skin.

This force can be a steady pressure on an area of skin or a pulling (shearing) force between the skin and another surface.

Fluids (sweat, urine, fecal matter) that stay on the skin can induce the skin to become overly wet, which raises the risk for pressure injury development.

These injuries normally happen over the bony parts of the body (hips, heels, tailbone, elbows, head and ankles).

A pressure injury can become life-threatening if it goes on to a deep wound or becomes infected.

The most frequent areas to develop a pressure injury are:
1. Back of the head
2. Buttocks
3. Heels

Once the stage and severity of the wound is identified, it must be cleaned, normally with a saline solution.

After the wound is cleaned, it requires be keeping clean, moist, and covered with a proper bandage.

Occasionally debridement is needed to get rid of the wound of dead tissue.
1. Ultrasound: Using sound waves to remove the dead tissue.
2. Irrigation: Using fluid (often pressurized) to wash away dead tissue.
3. Laser: Using focused light beams to remove the dead tissue.
4. Biosurgery: Using maggots to eliminate bacteria from the wound.
5. Surgery: Using surgery to remove the dead tissue and close the wound.

TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Pressure Injuries
Chapter 2 Causes
Chapter 3 Symptoms
Chapter 4 Diagnosis
Chapter 5 Treatment
Chapter 6 Prognosis
Chapter 7 Bed Sores
Chapter 8 Skin Wounds and Healing
Epilogue