Bed sores/blisters

[dorisday]

My mother has been in hospital for three weeks, I have just discovered that she has blisters on her ankles through laying in bed, these burst last time she put her slippers on. Is there anything I can do to help. Nursing staff too busy with other things to worry about them. Hospital are being super. Doris

[Lindylou]

The medical/nursing staff should be informed of this and they need to do something about this immediately. Bed or pressure sores can cause major problems. I can't believe that they are so busy they're not worried about them!!

[dorisday]

Thanks Lindylou. They do know about them, but said there is nothing they can do, apparently my mother has the best bed on the ward. It does tip up at the foot, I wondered if we tipped her feet up a little, it nmight help? Thanks again

[andy hughes]

Your mother's limbs require regular massage, and rubbing with a suitable emolient to keep her surface skin from breaking, as well as her body position being changed at regular intervals. This is standard practice for nursing staff in this situation, so you may have to insist that this is done. If the nurses are not complying with your request, move up the chain of comand until something is done. As the previous correspondent advised, this can be serious, and must not be left any longer without action. Hope your mum gets better soon.

[pandoradeus]

Your mum's ankles need dressings on them , and not just dry dressings. Without seeing her ankles its hard to suggest what would be best. I am horrified that the nurses are ignoring potentially serious wounds. Put in a written complaint to the ward manager and copy it to the hospital executive until something gets done. Just because your mum has a fab bed, donen't mean she won't get pressure sores - Get the staff to check her bottom, hips and shoulders too. Poor nursing care is a major contrbutory factor in this kiind of tissue breakdown

[incitatus]

also a ripple mattress is required. this is an airbed that inflkates and deflate s in a programmed way beneath you. quite restful but also prevents bedsores worsening. placing pillows beneath the calves to raise the ankles from the bed is another way to help. really this should not happen. my great aunts were ward sisters and took it as a badge of shame if any patient developed bedsores on their wards.

[dorisday]

Thank you thank you for all your advice. I am the youngest of three daughters and my two elders seem to have taken control. I will make sure I have my say though!! Thanks again D

[Jaybee]

As the others say, the hospital staff are not "being super". They are being extremely lax, and treating your poor mother in a way which, not so long ago, would have cost them their jobs. It is vital that bedsores are treated immediately, as they are very serious.

[dorisday]

Thanks again for all your advise, I spoke to nurses one day and by the next, mums feet had been loosely bandaged. and she is a lot comfier. Thanks again Doris xx