Non Excisional Debridement of Pressure Ulcer

Non Excisional Debridement of Pressure Ulcer
Page content

Pressure Ulcer Wounds and Debridement

Pressure ulcers are also known more commonly as bed sores or pressure sores. According to CCS Prep, they are defined as “a localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear and /or friction.”

Because they can be slow to heal and present difficulties in treatment, non excisional debridement of pressure ulcer wounds is one method used to help patients avoid infection and heal more quickly.

The difference between non excisional and excisional debridement is best explained as non excisional involving washing, scrubbing, brushing, irrigating or other non-operative methods for cleaning the wound and removing tissue that is devitalized, slough or necrosis.

Excisional debridement involves a surgical approach to the removal of aforementioned tissue, slough and necrosis. It can include cutting or other surgical removal.

There are multiple ways in which non excisional debridement can be performed.

The Scalpel in Non Excisional Debridement

Even though it would seem otherwise, the use of a scalpel to scrape away dead tissue in pressure ulcer wounds is considered to be ‘non excisional’. This is because the action used is scraping, which is not considered to be excisional in nature.

Maggots in Non Excisional Debridement

Seen in television shows, the use of maggots in non excisional debridement is a reality that is even covered by Medicare. Pressure ulcer wounds are just one of several types of wounds found to be effectively treated with the use of maggots. The fly larvae that is used for medical purposes is specially prepared and in 2004 the FDA approved the use of medicinal maggots.

One of the advantages for patients in the use of maggots is the significantly lower cost of this form of non excisional debridement. According to EurakAlert!, it can cost $100 or less, as compared to thousands of dollars that can be spent on other forms of treatment.

Recovery

Though non excisional debridement can help a patient heal more quickly, it is not the only method used in the whole healing picture.

The cause of the pressure ulcer wounds must also be addressed, which can mean the patient will need to use special pillow or cushions to help relieve pressure on affected areas. This will affect how quickly and how well the patient may recover.

The best way to increase the odds for a quick recovery following non excisional debridement of pressure ulcer is for the patient to closely follow the doctor’s instructions and to closely monitor their own healing, letting the doctor know if anything unusual occurs or if any worsening happens.

References

Pressure Ulcers Under Scrutiny. CCS Prep. Prepared by Ingenix Inc Staff. June 19, 2007. Merion Publications. https://health-information.advanceweb.com/Article/Pressure-Ulcers-Under-Scrutiny.aspx

Audit Wound Debridement MS-DRGs before Your RAC Does. JustCoding News: Inpatient, March 31, 2010. HCPRo. https://www.hcpro.com/HOM-248767-3288/Audit-wound-debridement-MSDRGs-before-your-RAC-does.html

Medicare Coding for Maggots and Maggot Therapy. Public Release November 10, 2008. Ronald Sherman. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-11/ber-mcf111008.php