Introduction
In the medical world, many medical-surgical clients will find themselves secluded to their bed with little to no mobility. The prolonged bed rest will cause pressure to be constantly applied on certain areas of the body which will lead to the skin breaking down. Skin is the first line of defense, when that is compromised the human body is susceptible to infections and other diseases. The way skin breakdown is handled reflects how well the care is in the hospital. Ensuring the client does not end up back in the hospital with further complications starts with their support system and the environment they live in.
Issue That Impacts the Medical-Surgical Client
One of the issues many medical-surgical clients have to deal with is skin breakdown. Majority of skin breakdown has to deal with the fact that the patient can have little mobility after a procedure. One of the most common issues that arise from skin breakdown are pressure ulcers. Nayak (2014) states that there is little awareness on how to prevent them or how to treat them if they do occur. “Bedsore is a global problem concerning the bedridden, infirm, debilitated and malnourished patients in hospitals and community setups.” (Nayak, Srinivasan, Jagdish, Rattan, Chatram, 2008, p.1) Pressure ulcers develop because of unrelieved and prolonged pressure. Potter and Perry (2014) …show more content…
While past methods are unclear, the present methods have come a long way to help patients in their recovery. Special mattresses and assessment guidelines have been created like the Pressure Support Devices and the Braden Scale. Prevention of the injuries that could cause the patient to end up in the hospital starts with their environment. Ensuring that the patient and their family understand skin breakdown and pressure ulcers will help with the prevention as well as the healing
In the medical world, many medical-surgical clients will find themselves secluded to their bed with little to no mobility. The prolonged bed rest will cause pressure to be constantly applied on certain areas of the body which will lead to the skin breaking down. Skin is the first line of defense, when that is compromised the human body is susceptible to infections and other diseases. The way skin breakdown is handled reflects how well the care is in the hospital. Ensuring the client does not end up back in the hospital with further complications starts with their support system and the environment they live in.
Issue That Impacts the Medical-Surgical Client
One of the issues many medical-surgical clients have to deal with is skin breakdown. Majority of skin breakdown has to deal with the fact that the patient can have little mobility after a procedure. One of the most common issues that arise from skin breakdown are pressure ulcers. Nayak (2014) states that there is little awareness on how to prevent them or how to treat them if they do occur. “Bedsore is a global problem concerning the bedridden, infirm, debilitated and malnourished patients in hospitals and community setups.” (Nayak, Srinivasan, Jagdish, Rattan, Chatram, 2008, p.1) Pressure ulcers develop because of unrelieved and prolonged pressure. Potter and Perry (2014) …show more content…
While past methods are unclear, the present methods have come a long way to help patients in their recovery. Special mattresses and assessment guidelines have been created like the Pressure Support Devices and the Braden Scale. Prevention of the injuries that could cause the patient to end up in the hospital starts with their environment. Ensuring that the patient and their family understand skin breakdown and pressure ulcers will help with the prevention as well as the healing