My mom has a bedsore that was being treated and healing, then boom, there's another really bad one.

Is this something that can be reported to the state and looked into? I can't believe she got the other one next to the one that was healing.

Bedsores are generally preventable. I was furious when my mom got one. But as far as reporting to the state, you'd have to show they were not following a standard pressure sore protocol. What were they doing to prevent another one?

Lying her in bed on her side. Not leaving her in her wheelchair. Applying ointment. She has an air mattress, too.

Always Learning More,

Best sores (decubitii) are difficult to treat because they come from many sources. #1 reason patients get bed sores is lack of nutrition. #2 lack of turning, rotating, repositioning every 2 hours. #3 Poor bed quality (now they have special beds/mattresses to decrease bed sores but they are very expensive). #4 Poor skin care. #5 Poor circulation. #6 Poor Incontinence Care.

My Mom is not bed bound yet but chair bound. She's had one decubitus which has healed and not returned. It takes one on one active, daily care to keep those nasty things at bay.

Good Luck.



Good Luck!

ALM, as long as they are repositioning her every two hours (assuming she cannot do so herself), it sounds like they are doing what the state would consider sufficient preventive care. I was furious when Mom got one because they saw it coming -- a reddened Stage 1 (no break in skin) which they treated with ointment only. Not until it got Stage 2 (open sore) did they put her on air mattress. To me, it seemed they should have put her on air mattress sooner. But as a diabetic who could not move herself, Mom was pretty much bound to get one sooner or later. Once she was on air mattress, that one stabilized and she has not goten another.

Bed sores are so hard to heal once you get them, and sometimes never heal completely. Mom never had one, but I worked for a lot of years with wheelchair bound people who did. It was always a challenge.

Lisa is right that bedsores can come from many sources. Has the dr. done labs to check her albumin and pre-albumin levels? Low protein levels can affect skin healing and breakdown.

The most important step to prevent pressure sores is to avoid prolonged pressure on any one part of the body. The pressure can reduce the blood supply to the skin and the tissues under the skin. When a change in position doesn't occur often enough and the blood supply gets too low, a sore may form.
You can prevent the bed sores by checking her body every day for spots, color change or other signs of sores. If you notice a discolored area, check for discomfort, warmness and blanching of this area by pressing and then releasing as can be a sign of skin breakdown if does not blanche. Also keep skin healthy by keeping it clean and dry, use a mild soap and moisturizers so skin doesn't get too dry, and change wet clothing often. Change her body position at least every two hours and more frequently when she is in a chair, and avoid use of donut shape cushions , as they only shift pressure or friction from one vulnerable site to another, there are special beds, mattresses and seat cushions can be used to reduce pressure and offer extra relief.
Treating a pressure sore is much more difficult than preventing one. The main goals of treatment are to relieve pressure on the sores, keep them clean and free of infection, and provide adequate nutrition. A well-balanced, high-protein diet is recommended as well as a daily high-potency vitamin and mineral supplement. Vitamin C and zinc may help with healing as well.