Pressure Ulcer Case Study
Patient Information
- Name: John Doe
- Age: 85 years old
- Gender: Male
- Diagnosis: Stage IV pressure ulcer on the right heel
- Admitting diagnosis: Hip fracture
- Admitting date: March 8, 2023
Background
Mr. Doe is an 85-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital on March 8, 2023, with a hip fracture. He is a retired farmer and has been living independently in his own home. He has no other chronic health conditions.
Ongoing Assessment
On admission, Mr. Doe was found to have a Stage IV pressure ulcer on the right heel. The ulcer is 4 cm in diameter and has deep tissue involvement. The surrounding skin is red and edematous. Mr. Doe is also incontinent of urine and stool.
Goals of Care
The goals of care for Mr. Doe are to:
- Prevent the ulcer from getting worse.
- Promote healing of the ulcer.
- Prevent complications from the ulcer, such as infection.
- Improve Mr. Doe’s quality of life.
Plan of Care
The plan of care for Mr. Doe includes:
- Frequent skin assessments.
- Pressure relief measures, such as turning and repositioning every 2 hours.
- Use of a heel protector.
- Dressing changes to the ulcer.
- Treatment of any infection.
- Pain management.
- Nutritional support.
Evaluation
Mr. Doe’s ulcer is healing slowly. He has not developed any complications from the ulcer. He is able to tolerate the pressure relief measures and dressing changes. He is also able to eat and drink without difficulty.
Discussion Questions
- What are the interprofessional implications of this case study?
The interprofessional implications of this case study are that it requires a team of healthcare professionals to work together to provide care for Mr. Doe. This team includes nurses, doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and dietitians. Each member of the team has a unique role to play in preventing the ulcer from getting worse, promoting healing, and preventing complications.
- How can health informatics be used to improve the care of patients with pressure ulcers?
Health informatics can be used to improve the care of patients with pressure ulcers in a number of ways. For example, health informatics can be used to:
- Collect and track data on pressure ulcers, so that trends can be identified and interventions can be tailored to individual patients.
- Develop and implement evidence-based guidelines for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.
- Provide education and training to healthcare professionals on the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.
- Facilitate communication between healthcare professionals, so that they can share information about patients and coordinate care.
- What are the ethical considerations of using health informatics in the care of patients with pressure ulcers?
There are a number of ethical considerations of using health informatics in the care of patients with pressure ulcers. These include:
- The privacy and confidentiality of patient data.
- The accuracy and reliability of data.
- The security of data.
- The potential for bias in data.
