An elderly man was initially admitted to hospital with a groin aneurysm. He developed severe bedsores and hospital-acquired infections. He eventually had to have his legs amputated. He passed away shortly before this article was written.

Obviously a complicated medical case, the article refers to the availability of proper wound care equipment and of staff who are trained and capable of using the equipment. It states that the facility did provide a special air mattress, to relieve the pressure on the bed sores, but indicates staff didn't use it properly, which negated its effectiveness.

The lessons learned from this news article in relation to wound prevention include the importance of trained staff who are knowledgeable about therapeutic surfaces, and this equipment's availability.

When a health care professional identifies a patient as having, or as being at high risk for developing pressure wounds, the therapeutic surfaces are often urgently required, and identifying the right surface to support the wound is key, as well as the surface's proper use.

SelfCare ensures flexibility of choice, prompt delivery, and efficient set up of therapeutic surfaces. We sell and rent therapeutic surfaces, and provide thorough training to health care professions so that the equipment is used correctly.

In terms of training, SelfCare can provide initial training and time-of-delivery instruction for health care professionals and caregivers who need to become familiar with the support surfaces. As well, SelfCare provides on demand inservices for all health care professionals to update their knowledge of support surfaces.

Click on the following link to read the CBC article:

CBC News: Senior loses legs to hospital infections, bedsores

Please contact us at any time if you have any comments or questions about therapeutic support services and training by emailing kim.mackie@selfcarehome.com.