{"id":2693,"date":"2019-08-28T12:02:53","date_gmt":"2019-08-28T12:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pope.esenf.pt\/intentcare?page_id=2693"},"modified":"2019-08-28T12:02:53","modified_gmt":"2019-08-28T12:02:53","slug":"pressure-ulcer-prevention","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/pope.esenf.pt\/intentcare?page_id=2693&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Pressure ulcer prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"

1. Pressure ulcers occur after extended periods on the same body position and are caused by reduced blood circulation on the affected areas.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

2. Pressure ulcers can occur in higher pressure sites such as the heel, malleolus, sacral region, elbow, head and earlobe.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

3. Change the patient bed positioning every 2 hours.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

4. If possible and according to your family member health condition, you may consider extending this period up to 3 hours.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

5. Keep bed sheets well-stretched since wrinkles and folds can injure the skin.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

6. You must turn your family member with caution to avoid friction with sheets or armchair.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

7. When using anti-bedsore mattresses or pillows, which help protect the areas with bone prominences, it is still advised to change your family member\u2019s positioning regularly.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

8. Avoid skin strong rubbing when bathing<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

9. Use a cream to massage the skin after bathing since hydration works as a protective barrier and massage improve blood circulation.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

10. Keep the skin clean and dry since humidity favours the occurrence of pressure ulcers.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

11. If your family member is using diaper it should be changed whenever soiled.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

12. You should provide small amounts of liquids to your family member to avoid dehydration, even if he\/she does not feel the need to drink.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

13. If your family member has a reddish area, you must contact the nurse and avoid positioning him\/her to the affected side.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

14. It is important the daily ingestion of meat, fish, eggs and dairy products (proteins) to help prevent pressure ulcers.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

15. Occasionally nutritional supplements might be necessary.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

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