What information should a facility document in individuals with bed sores?

Assessment and documentation of bed sores / wounds should be carried out at least weekly. The exception is when there is evidence of deterioration, in which case both the wound and the patient’s overall management must be reassessed immediately.

When wound complications or changes in wound characteristics are noted, documentation should be completed daily until the wound is stable. Documentation should include:

Assessment findings: Type of wound, staging, correct anatomical location, measurements; presence of tunneling/undermining; drainage (amount, color, consistency, odor); wound base tissue (slough, eschar, granulation, epithelialization); wound edges (curled, callused, macerated, detached);  periwound (intact, scaly, induration, edema, redness, warmth, color).

Symptoms of infection: Fever, increased white count, hypotension, general malaise, redness, swelling, induration, streaking, purulent drainage, temperature of surrounding tissue.

Pain: Intensity, location, quality/patterns of radiation and character, duration, variations, patterns, alleviating and aggravating factors, current and past pain management plan, effects of pain, pain goal, physical exam of pain.

If your family member’s medical chart does not properly address the above documentation, it is unlikely they are receiving the care necessary to heal from the bed sore or wound.