The Silent Killer: The Underestimated Threat of Pressure Ulcers

 

Many elderly individuals or patients often face mobility issues due to their medical conditions or prolonged use of medical devices, which lead to a loss of autonomy. This can result in muscle and joint degeneration and increase the risk of pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores or pressure ulcers.

 

Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, form when the subcutaneous tissue is subjected to prolonged pressure and friction, obstructing blood flow and leading to skin necrosis. Common areas for bedsores are the back, tailbone, and heels, where there is less fat and more prominent bones. The wounds can extend from the epidermis to the deeper tissues, sometimes reaching the bone, typically appearing "cone-shaped."

 

The four stages of pressure ulcer symptoms:

Stage 1: The skin appears red and may feel painful, firm, soft, warmer, or cooler compared to surrounding skin.

Stage 2: The skin breaks open, wears away, or forms an ulcer, which is usually tender and painful. The sore expands into deeper layers of the skin, presenting as a red wound, blister, or abrasion.

Stage 3: There is full-thickness skin loss involving damage to or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue. The ulcer appears as a yellow wound (exposed subcutaneous fat) and may include dead tissue and signs of infection.

Stage 4: The wound may turn black and become necrotic, with exposed bone or muscle, and is likely to be severely infected and ulcerated.

 

 

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare statistics, pressure ulcers frequently result in numerous life-threatening complications, such as cellulitis, sepsis, bone and joint infections, osteomyelitis, and squamous cell carcinoma. These complications lead to a mortality rate for patients with pressure ulcers that is over four times higher than that of general hospitalized patients. This "silent killer" requires meticulous care; even a minor oversight can result in missing the critical early treatment stage for the wound.

 

 

# Dressing Care Choices

In the past, it was commonly believed that keeping a wound dry was essential. However, maintaining appropriate moisture levels can actually promote faster healing. AMS BioteQ's SIPSIP Foam utilizes moist wound healing techniques with hydrophilic foam dressings, which absorb excess exudate, keeping the wound in an optimal healing environment. This non-adherent, easy-to-remove dressing is particularly suitable for elderly patients or those with delicate and sensitive skin around the wound, minimizing the risk of additional injury.

 

SIPSIP Foam employs a unique foam structure to achieve skin-friendliness, significantly reducing discomfort when the dressing adheres to the wound. This next-generation, innovative medical dressing is gaining significant attention.