After orthopedic surgery, it is highly recommended to use sequential compression devices until a patient is back to walking around more frequently. Especially in nursing home settings, this can be important for residents who have just returned from the hospital or an outpatient surgery center and need some time to heal.
Compression therapy can help prevent deep vein thrombosis and blood clots. Surgery already increases the chances of a blood clot as blood vessels are injured during a procedure. As a patient heals from getting a knee or hip replaced, for example, being immobile for long periods of time also elevates a person’s risk. Your orthopedic doctor will recommend a course of post-op treatment that can include the short term use of blood thinners and compression therapy.
The National Blood Clot Alliance reminds individuals and their loved ones to be on the lookout for signs of any unusual pain, skin color and temperature, or swelling that is beyond what your doctor has noted during recovery. Also, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, or bloody mucus can signal an imminent blood clot.
Nursing home medical professionals are responsible for communicating with the resident’s doctor about any irregularities and should be utilizing compression therapy unless there are contraindications for specific individuals. Of equal importance is making sure that a resident does not start to get bedsores. Immobility and other factors can make a person prone to developing bedsores that turn into more serious pressure ulcers. Aggressive measures should be taken to prevent this from happening, including helping patients turn every couple of hours as they rest in the bed or use a wheelchair.
Some residents are more prone to moisture problems as a result of excessive perspiration that can be caused by their medical condition or the medications they are taking. Pressure ulcers can arise when the skin develops excess moisture as more friction occurs against clothing, sheets and the mattress cover. Incontinence is similar as it can make the skin moister and cause infections. Many long-term care facilities already have pressure redistribution mattresses on hand for decubitus ulcer prevention. When a Skin IQ™ Microclimate Manager can be used on top of the mattress, a resident can benefit by the latest in skin integrity technology. The facility also benefits by obtaining the same results as with a Low Air Loss bed, but at a fraction of the cost.
The Skin IQ™ is a reasonably priced solution for nursing homes to use to prevent skin ulcers, minimize odors, lower temperature at the contact points and reduce friction. It is a good solution for residents of almost any size, even up to 500 pounds.
Vascular PRNSM assists long-term care centers and nursing home professionals with compression therapy products and the Skin IQ coverlet to prevent decubitus ulcers. They rent, sell and ship products to health care centers throughout the United States, and can send by overnight delivery. They carry high-quality brands that are built for even the most rigorous medical demands. To learn more about a Sequential Compression Device, SCD boots, or Lymphedema boots visit http://www.vascularprn.com/ or call 800.886.4331.
To learn more about a Sequential Compression Device, SCD boots, or Lymphedema boots, visit http://www.vascularprn.com/ or call 800.886.4331.
