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Pressure Injuries & DVT
Know the Signs If you notice any of the following symptoms, tell your nurse right away. Signs of a pressure injury Change in skin color or texture Warm or cool areas on your skin Painful or tender spots Swelling on your skin A new wound that has pus-like draining
How to Spot and Prevent Them During your stay, you may lie in bed for many days—putting you at risk of getting a pressure injury (sometimes called a bedsore or pressure ulcer) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These can cause a longer hospital stay, make recovery harder, and lead to serious medical problems. Take the steps below to help prevent them. . Pressure Injuries A pressure injury is damage to an area of your skin and the tissue beneath from lying on it for too long. This happens most often on skin that covers a bony part of the body, like the hips, tailbone, heels, or ankles. To help prevent pressure injuries: Change position every two hours. Have your nurse help you switch between lying on your sides and back. Keep skin dry and clean. If you become wet or soiled, be sure your nurse cleans your skin as soon as possible. Use pillows and foam. Prop up parts of your body with pillows, and ask for foam wedges to help you lie on your side. Check your medical devices. This could be a cast, restraint, or ID band. Have your nurse check that everything is the right size and secure, and let them know if any devices are uncomfortable. Maintain a healthy diet. Ask your care team how to make sure you stay hydrated and get the nutrition you need while you’re in the hospital. DVT DVT happens when blood clots in a vein deep beneath your skin, usually in your leg or pelvis. The clot could break lose and move to your lungs, causing a potentially life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism. To help prevent DVT: Have your nurse help you change position every two hours. Get up and walk if you can. If you can’t, move your feet in circles to exercise your legs. Your doctor may prescribe compression stockings or a blood thinner medication. } See p. 16 for information about blood thinners.
Signs of DVT
Sudden swelling of your leg or arm Soreness or cramps in your legs Change in skin color on your legs, arms, or neck Warm area on your skin
Preventing DVT at Home Scan the code
for more detailed information on protecting yourself from blood clots after discharge.
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