bed sores question

Lgw

After 3 months of being bedridden my DH has developed a bed sore. I had avoided them with a small pillow that was very soft. Then he developed a heat rash on his back so Hospice is now having me put a king size pillow to stop the heat from building up. I have a lamb's cover under him that was supposed to help with bed sores. Okay my question is this. Doesn't the full pillow keep more pressure on the bedsore? Hospice says since he won't eat much meat that his skin is just breaking down. I just want to avoid a painful infected bedsore. I guess that might be inevitable. Anyone have success in this area? By the way, with the king size pillow he will just lay on top of it and nothing keeps him on his side.

Jo C.

Hospice can indeed, at no cost to the patient, provide an alternating air pressure mattress that can be a significant positive in preventing skin breakdown. You can ask for one to be placed on his bed. If your assigned RN does not address this as a need, then you can make a call to the Supervisor of Nurses at the Hospice office. Alternating air pressure mattresses are often provided by Hospices. I can well understand your concern regarding the king sized pillow as a heat prevention as heat would also gather under that pillow too and it would as you mention, be a challenge for positioning.

As for the rash, there are a number of products that can assist with this. BUT one would have to know if it is a common heat rash or a fungal based issue. Being able to have an alternating air mattress and being able to turn him so his skin gets air and not so likely to break down would be the goal.

Hospices also most often have a nurse or two who are Certified specialists regarding prevention AND especially treatment of decubitus ulcers (bedsores.) The certification is for "enterostomal" therapy and it makes a difference in skill; you may want to contact the Supervisor of Nursing at the Hospice and ask about a certified enterostomal therapy nurse to make a visit to assess and then prescribe the best skin treatment for both the decubitus ulcer as well as the rash on his back.

You are being an excellent advocate for your husband, let us know how you are and how he is doing. We will be thinking of you.

J.

Lgw

Thanks! I knew someone on this site would have an idea