The Joint Commission has issued guidance on pressure injuries which can raise the risk for people to have worse outcomes including amputation and infection. The recommendations aim to equip healthcare staff, such as those at nursing homes, to recognize and treat these ailments.
Pressure injuries or bed sores, which can lead to troublesome wounds, begin under the skin as a result of being in one position too long. They’re common in residents at long-term care communities, especially those with limited mobility.
The pressure injuries can progress into open wounds. The guidance says that risk factors for pressure injuries include immobility, lack of pain perception or sensory issues, obesity, poor nutrition, dehydration, dementia, and having a history of pressure injuries. People with diabetes and circulation problems can be more prone to these injuries.
The guidance lists information on how to spot pressure injuries. For example, a person with a pressure injury may have a thin blister on their skin. The skin may look intact but have a deep red or purplish color. The tissue may be warmer or cooler compared to the skin around it. Blood-filled blisters may be present. There may not be much elasticity in the skin around the wound. Additionally, the person with the pressure injury may have symptoms of infection or sepsis.
Healthcare workers should ensure their facilities have policies on how to monitor people for pressure injuries, and these should include documentation requirements, the guidance states. There should also be a classification system in place so staff understand what to look for and how to gauge the severity of pressure injuries, as well as how to treat them. Healthcare workers need to be trained on how to use equipment to evaluate and treat the wounds, understand wound care practices and know when to seek a specialist for help, the guidance states.
