Preventing Pressure Ulcers

or Bed Sores
Keeping Your Skin Healthy
In the Hospital

As partners in your care, this

brochure will help you, your care
givers and care helpers learn how
to prevent pressure ulcers (also
called bed sores).

PD 8913 (2015-04) File: peyles

 What is a pressure ulcer? Your Safety and Waffle Boots
A pressure ulcer is a break in the skin caused by:
 constant pressure on the same area of skin
 pulling skin across a surface called friction You can sit at the
side of the bed
 sliding skin on a surface called shear with boots on.

Shear

Friction  Do not walk on

boots.

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 Drink fluids A pressure ulcer most often develops on skin over
 The amount of fluid you should drink depends a bony area. Common places for pressure ulcers to
on your medical condition. For example people start are over the heels, elbows, buttocks (bottom
with heart failure or kidney disease need to or bum), hips, shoulder blades, back of head and
control the amount of fluid they drink. ears.

 The dietitian can advise you on how much fluid These high risk areas are shown in this picture.
to drink and the type of fluids to drink to help
you optimize your skin health.

Control pain
 If you have pain, it is important to get your
pain under control so you can move the
best you can.

Work with your health care team to find the

best way to control pain for you.

We are here to help

If you feel that you or your loved
one is at risk for getting a pressure A pressure ulcer can start in a very short time.
ulcer or bed sore, talk to member of
your health care team to make a Some pressure ulcers can start in hours or days
prevention plan. of being in the hospital.

Prevention is best.

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Why is it important to have good skin health and Protect your skin
prevent a pressure ulcer?  Use gentle soap and water or pH balanced
cleansers to clean your skin and keep it dry.
After a pressure ulcer starts, it can worsen quickly
and/or take a long time to heal.  Use lotion to prevent dry skin and cracking.
Avoid using lotions with perfumes or scents as
A pressure ulcer can change your life in many ways. these can dry skin more.
For example, when you have a pressure ulcer you
may: Follow a healthy diet
 have pain that persists and is hard to control  A healthy diet includes having a balance of
protein, vitamins, minerals and fats. Try to eat
 need special care and dressings often more meat, fish, vegetables, fruit and fibre.
than once a day
 Protein from meat, fish, eggs and dairy products
 need to change your daily activities, work, promote good skin health and healing.
school and other things you like to do
 You can ask to talk to a dietitian to make sure
 develop an infection or illness due to the your diet is balanced and healthy. You can talk
pressure ulcer to the dietitian about adding protein
supplements if needed.
Getting a pressure ulcer can slow your recovery
and increase your time in hospital. Keep moving
 It is important to keep moving and exercise.
Many members of your health care team can
help. Ask to see a therapist to learn how to
move around safely. You can talk about the
benefits of moving and how to increase your
activity.

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 Here is another example What are the risk factors?
of floating the feet off the The main risk factors that can lead to a pressure
bed using pillows. ulcer include:
Limited ability to move:
 This means you are not able to move easily due
to illness or a medical condition such as a
stroke. When you cannot move well, your blood
has trouble bringing water and nutrition to the
skin cells. Your skin needs these to live.
Incontinence:
 This means you have problems with bowel
 Waffle boots are and/or bladder control. For example, when urine
an example of a and/or feces sits on the skin bacteria grows and
device. causes skin breakdown.
Poor nutrition:
 This means you do not get enough nutrients in
your diet for good skin health. Skin cells need a
healthy diet to survive, reproduce and do their
job of protecting you.
Friction or shear:
Floating feet off bed.
 This happens when skin is pulled or slid against
a surface such as a bed sheet or mattress. It is
important to use the proper techniques when
helping you move in bed to avoid this risk factor.

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As a partner in my care, what can I do to help  Avoid rubbing over bony areas.
prevent a pressure ulcer?
Your care team wants to help you keep your skin  While in hospital, talk to a member of your
healthy. You and your care helpers can help. health care team about having a special
mattress if you cannot move in bed very well or
Check skin daily on your own.
 Check your skin for red areas, blisters, bruises
or darkened areas of the skin that may feel hard,
warm and/or painful especially over bony areas.  Avoid lying
directly on your
 Pay special attention to skin over bony areas as
hips, back and
shown in the picture.
buttocks.
 Let a member of your health care team know if Turn to your
you see an area on your skin that you are sides and
concerned about. support your
Prevent Pressure knees with pillows as shown in the picture.
 Move around and change positions as often as
you can. Do this at least every 2 hours when
you are awake in bed or when sitting. If you are  Use pillows or
not able to move by yourself, ask for help. devices to reduce
pressure on the
 When sitting in a chair or wheelchair, shift your heels and ankles
weight and change position often. This helps by floating them off
blood move around and bring water and nutrition the bed as shown
to your skin cells. in the picture.
If you can move around on your own, get up or move in
bed carefully. Avoid sliding or pulling yourself across  Make sure all pillows extend above the
sheets. knees.

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