Pressure ulcers
Prevention and the right care is vital to prevent complications
Pressure ulcers, or bedsores, are caused by damage to skin and underlying tissues, and can develop alarmingly quickly. The
NHS has prioritised them, as they can be very painful, dangerous and expensive, with cases costing an estimated £2 billion a year. But, although new cases have fallen by more than a third since 2010, there are still 110,000 new ones each year in hospital and many more in the community.
How they develop
Pressure ulcers can develop anywhere, especially over bony areas, such as hips, the bottom and heels. They start with reddish-purple skin discoloration, warmth, and discomfort, and may then blister, break the skin, become deeper or even reach muscle and bone. If not treated properly, they can rapidly expand to several inches across, become infected or trigger anaemia or life-threatening sepsis
(blood poisoning).
Anyone who finds it difficult to move in their chair or bed – for example, because they’re old, frail, ill, obese or have mobility problems – may be at risk. So may people who don’t recognise or act on early-warning signs.
Fragile skin, caused by dehydration, poor diet, diabetes and arterial disease is another factor.
However, many cases of pressure sores can be prevented, and some may even be a safeguarding issue and a sign that vulnerable adults are not receiving adequate care.