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My 90 Yr Old Mother Has A Pressure Sore/decubitus On
Question: My 90 yr old mother has a pressure sore/decubitus on her left inner buttock near her sacrum (appears to be a stage 3; however not fully able to view then entire wound due to slough in the wound) - they just finished a 10 day course of Augmentin initially, and the wound culture results came back with the following result 12/14/19 - Enterococcus saecilis & Proteus mirabilis, Extended spectrum beta-lactamases -- the nursing home is now beginning a 10 day course of Bactrim DS BID -- the current wound care regimen they've been using for the last 5 days is Hydro thera blue dressing changes on M-W-F's -- is this the appropriate Antibiotic for her to be on with this wound culture result? also, is this type of wound care appropriate for continued treatment of this pressure ulcer? please advise of the best/appropriate treatment options at this time, thank you so much - XXXXXXX Picker
Brief Answer:
Systematic approach needed
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. The choice of antibiotic is ok but that should not suffice. The first thing needed is regular dressing along with removal of scab. The next thing is change of lying position every 2 hours. Blood sugar needs to be monitored and kept in control. Unless this is done, healing will not be proper.
Regards
Systematic approach needed
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. The choice of antibiotic is ok but that should not suffice. The first thing needed is regular dressing along with removal of scab. The next thing is change of lying position every 2 hours. Blood sugar needs to be monitored and kept in control. Unless this is done, healing will not be proper.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
would surgical debridement be the preferred way to remove the slough/scab over the wound or is the every other day dressing change theyre currently performing adequate? my concern is if surgical debridement is required she may not be able to tolerate general anesthesia due to heart failure that she has, she is diabetic
Brief Answer:
Surgical debridement and dressing essentially needed
Detailed Answer:
Change of dressing would be required. The frequency may vary from a couple of times a day to once in a couple of days depending on the situation. But, unless the dead tissue is removed, it will not work. Surgical debridement is nothing but an extension of the dressing technique where the dead tissue is systematically removed. That may definitely be required is scrubbing is not enough to remove the dead tissue. It is not usually done under general anaesthesia. It is not more painful than the dressing itself as the dead tissue do not have sensory nerve endings. Please go ahead with surgical debridement in the manner your surgeon suggests.
Regards
Surgical debridement and dressing essentially needed
Detailed Answer:
Change of dressing would be required. The frequency may vary from a couple of times a day to once in a couple of days depending on the situation. But, unless the dead tissue is removed, it will not work. Surgical debridement is nothing but an extension of the dressing technique where the dead tissue is systematically removed. That may definitely be required is scrubbing is not enough to remove the dead tissue. It is not usually done under general anaesthesia. It is not more painful than the dressing itself as the dead tissue do not have sensory nerve endings. Please go ahead with surgical debridement in the manner your surgeon suggests.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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