Prevention of pressure ulcers is the number one treatment.  Whatever dressings, medication, surgery or creams the nurse or doctor may use in treating a pressure ulcer, they will all be wasted unless preventive habits for the patient are developed and practiced!

This is not to diminish the importance of medical treatment.  It is vital, especially for the advanced pressure ulcer.  However, unlike most medical conditions, the patient can really help herself by co-operating with a careful, appropriately planned, preventive program that is thoroughly implemented.

The preventive program should be devised by you and your health care team.  The needs of each patient will vary considerably.  The most obvious variable is the degree of activity or mobility a patient has – a person with little control over his movements will need more involvement from the caregiver than a person will who is still relatively mobile.

The more the patient can be involved in his or her treatment, the better.  Besides reducing the caregiver’s workload, patient involvement as an important psychological benefit:  it enhances feelings of dignity, self-reliance and hope.  Therefore, when it’s appropriate, patient education should be an integral part of the preventive program.

Remember the old saying
– an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

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GENERAL PREVENTIVE TIPS

• Prevent accidents by organizing the home sensibly and ensuring that routinely used equipment is well maintained.
• Smoking in bed at night should be forbidden and patients who do smoke should wear a protective apron.
• Keep essentials such as a bedpan, light switch, bell and so on near the bed and within reach.
• Ensure all personal appliances, crutches, walkers and wheelchairs are properly fitted, comfortable and well maintained.
• Rubber-soled footwear should always be used.
• An appropriate footstool should be available near the bed.
• Floors should be kept dry and clean.
• Do all you can to ensure a feeling of comfort, security and safety in order for the patient to maintain emotional well being.
  

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DISCLAIMER: It is important to emphasize that a patient or caregiver should always seek the advice of a health care provider before making any changes to treatment or any other changes related to your health. Information provided on the website is for information purposes only and is designed to support, not to replace the relationship that exists between a patient and his/her physician. With this in mind, the publishers, authors and distributors disclaim any responsibility for any adverse effects resulting directly or indirectly from the information contained within this website or our books and ebooks or from any readers’ misunderstanding of the content.