Nursing Expert Discusses Post Surgical Bedsore Development

Case Overview

This case involves an elderly woman who was admitted to the hospital in order to undergo a procedure to remove her kidney following a cancer diagnosis and attempted tumor cryoablation. The surgery went well, and there were no complications noted, however due to the patient’s advanced age and poor health her recovery time was extensive. Following her surgery, she remained in the same hospital in which she underwent surgery for a period of several weeks. During that time, the patient developed stage IV bedsores, which caused a life-threatening systemic infection. The patient recovered, however she required an extended hospital stay and suffered permanent injuries as a result of the sores and subsequent infection.

Questions to the Orthopedics expert and their responses

Do you treat and monitor surgical post-operative patients?

I regularly treat and monitor surgical patients in a post-operative setting. I am the clinical nurse manager of a large orthopedic, urology, and cardiac step down unit at our facility.

How often do you see patients with bedsores?

We see quite a few bedsores and follow a protocol for prevention, staging of current pressure ulcers, and treating the wounds.

What measures should be taken to prevent patients from developing bed sores?

I would need to know the exact length of stay, whether the patient was turned, if the patient could turn herself, if the patient or family refused turning, what her nutritional status was, her weight, as well as any co-morbidities.

About the expert

This expert currently serves as a clinical nurse manager in the orthopedics and urology unit at a medical center in Arkansas. She earned her nursing diploma from Jefferson School of Nursing and a BS in Gerontology from the University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff. This expert is a registered nurse and is the former president of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.