Common Wounds in Hospice Care
Because patients’ skin tissue is weakened during end-of-life patients can experience wounds that cut easily and are at high risk of infection. Some common wounds we treat daily include:
- Pressure wounds. These are common during the end-of-life stage and are often caused by skin failure as the terminal illness breaks down skin tissues and without prevention can turn into a deep tissue injury.
- Deep tissue injuries. This is damage to the underlying soft tissue caused by continued pressure or constant friction. Not repositioning bed-bound patients can be a cause. Our care team will manage this wound carefully, as it can lead to rapid deterioration of the surrounding area as well as educate caregivers on proper repositioning techniques and schedules.
- Skin tears. These wounds typically appear on patients’ limbs, such as hands and legs, due to extreme friction.
- Tumors or fungating lesions. The location of these wounds is dependent on the type of cancer, but they are very distressing as they may bleed and have an unpleasant odor.
- Venous ulcers. Patients diagnosed with venous disease will suffer from painful swelling and irregularly shaped wounds.
- Malignant wounds. Patients with cancer can often suffer from wounds that require serious wound care.
- Diabetic ulcers. These usually occur on the plantar surface of the foot and are painless but dangerous if left untreated.
What Wound Care Includes
Effective wound care involves three key components: prevention, treatment, and management. Sometimes in terminal patients, prevention and treatment are no longer effective and will require ongoing management to ensure patients are comfortable at all times.
Wound care in hospice will include methods like:
- Wound assessment
- Wound treatment
- Infection management
- Patient and family education on what to expect and how to treat
- Keeping the skin well moisturized
- Repositioning bed-bound patients to avoid pressure wounds
- Using foam supports and specialty equipment for better protection
At Generations, we understand the profound impact that a wound can have on a patient’s mental well-being, so we pride ourselves on offering the highest standard of wound care.