Patient Develops Bacterial Infection From Untreated Bedsore

ByWendy Ketner, M.D.

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Updated onJanuary 7, 2022

Patient Develops Bacterial Infection From Untreated Bedsore

This case involves an elderly female patient who was admitted to the hospital after losing consciousness. She was diagnosed with pneumonia, taken to the ICU, and intubated. For the remainder of her time at the hospital, she was given breathing assistance through a ventilator as well as antibiotics and intravenous fluids. The patient was then transferred to a different facility for a pulmonary procedure where they found she had an advanced bedsore on her lower back larger than the size of an orange. The patient’s condition eventually progressed to cellulitis.

Questions to the Family Medicine expert and their responses

Q1

What kind of measures should be taken to prevent pressure ulcers?

Pressure ulcer prevention depends on various factors, including frequent re-positioning, proper offloading, maintenance of urine and stool, prevention of shearing, nutritional support, adequate hydration, etc.

About the expert

I am a board-certified family physician and a wound care fellowship-trained clinician. I am currently an assistant professor of clinical surgery and family medicine in the section of wound healing and tissue repair. In my role, I treat a wide range of skin-related disorders and train students, residents, and fellows. In addition, my responsibilities, include lecturing and providing educational sessions for the residents and nurses on this particular subject. My professional activities also include participation at the local and national conferences, where I lecture on topics related to skin issues due to pressure, lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes, arterial insufficiency, and many others.

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About the author

Wendy Ketner, M.D.

Wendy Ketner, M.D.

Dr. Wendy Ketner is a distinguished medical professional with a comprehensive background in surgery and medical research. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Expert Institute, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's most important client relationships. Dr. Ketner's extensive surgical training was completed at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she gained hands-on experience in various general surgery procedures, including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, appendectomies, mastectomies for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. She also provided care in the surgical intensive care unit.

Her research interests have focused on post-mastectomy reconstruction and the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, including co-authoring a textbook chapter on the subject. Additionally, she has contributed to research on the percutaneous delivery of stem cells following myocardial infarction.

Dr. Ketner's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Yale University in Latin American Studies and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for Opollo Technologies, a fintech healthcare AI company, contributing her medical expertise to enhance healthcare technology solutions. Her role at Expert Institute involves leveraging her medical knowledge to provide insights into legal cases, underscoring her unique blend of medical and legal acumen.

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