"Bed sores & communication"

He wanted to use the toilet for his bowels. A Clinical Assistant arrived and, as they were stretched and I wanted to know what to do, it was agreed that I should assist. The CA was informative, helpful and kind. During the procedure it was apparent that he had a dressing on his right buttock where there was a bed sore. I had not been aware of the bed sore previously. I had not been present at his previous morning hygiene and no-one had informed me.

Another day, similar thing occurred with the same CA in attendance and a new dressing applied. Not long after this a doctor on the ward was doing rounds and I informed of this situation. He had not been made aware of the bed sore. The doctor said that the next time a toilet event occurred they would like to see the sore. I then helped him onto his left side.

Shortly after this two physiotherapist staff arrived to see if he was able to sit in his chair for a few hours. I explained about the bed sore and, in view of it, they thought it best to leave him in his current position. The physios were unaware of the bed sore as it was not listed on his chart. (The sore probably explains discomfort in the chair the previous day).

A few hours later another movement was indeed needed. The doctor attended and agreed with the nurse that the dressings should be abandoned and around a two-hourly turn set in place to avoid putting unrelenting pressure on sore areas. Additionally barrier cream should be applied. No cream was applied and no-one attended to turn 3 hours later so I was starting to help him to turn when the original CA came in and we assisted together.

So, someone had identified the sore and dressed it but the information had not reached either the doctor or the physios. And after the doctor’s specific instructions for turning this was not followed through.