Group Forums >> Home Health Nursing >> Frost bite
Frost bite
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Posted about 5 years ago Have a patient who has what I would say is severe frostbite to both feet. Anyone out there who can give advice or know of treatments to debride the eschar? Thanks. |
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| Posted about 5 years ago Did a little online research and also will add more info. Pt got the frostbite approx 3 wks ago. He is now a home health pt. He has deep frost bite. Any insight appreciated. |
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| Posted about 5 years ago How is the patients circulation in his feet? Everyday is a gift. |
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| Posted about 5 years ago Any debridement of eschar is a doctors order, at least where I've done home healthcare it is. |
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| Posted about 5 years ago dmazment said: absolutely. But this patient doesn't even have a follow up appt! |
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| Posted about 5 years ago he has palpable pulses but the toes are completely black dry and seem brittle. I read that sometimes they wait months before amputation. |
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| Posted about 5 years ago they do to get a definitive line of demarcation. I can't understand why the patient doesn't have a follow up. I would hazard to guess, debridement would inhibit or blurr the demarcation the physician is after. |
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| Posted about 5 years ago CJRN said: I have seen this in our shelters homeless people in Detroit; TYPICALLY, where it is at this stage- they do wait sometimes as necrosis sets in. It is very difficult to watch people go through this. They are usually unaware that they were in danger until it became way too late. Or they were too drunk to realize what happened to them. |
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| Posted about 5 years ago What other comorbidity factors does this pateint have? What meds is the patient on? Debridment is based on a Dr.'s examine and order. Your agency should also have guidelines... |
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| Posted about 5 years ago Just an update on this patient. We have been using a hydrogel to debride (autolytic) as nurses in WV cannot do sharp debridement. My patient is scheduled for amputation of some toes this week. We got him in with a PCP and a wound care specialist after he finally got his insurance card (State Aid). Obviously no doc would see him without means to pay. Thanks for the input. |
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| Posted about 5 years ago This guy smokes like a freight train and has some mental impairments... probably from long term alcohol. He is only taking antibiotics and pain meds. No other comorbidities that I am aware of. |
