After her local hospital refused treatment, saying there were “no options left,” 77-year-old H.S. from Cambodia was covered with severe pressure ulcers, some so deep that bone was exposed. Holding to the belief that “where there is life, there is hope,” her family brought her to FV Hospital. Here, specialists from multiple departments worked together to achieve what once seemed impossible: after 167 days, she regained her strength and was able to walk again.

Multidisciplinary Approach Helps Heal Life-Threatening Pressure Ulcers in an Elderly Patient

When the ambulance carrying Mrs H.S. arrived from Cambodia and stopped at FV Hospital, she lay motionless on a stretcher, her body covered with infected pressure sores. The most severe wound, at the sacrum, had penetrated so deeply that the bone was exposed.

At her local hospital, doctors refused further treatment and advised the family to “take her home and prepare for the worst.” Refusing to give up, her children brought her to FV as a final hope.

According to Dr Truong Hoang Vinh Khiem, Specialist Level II, Bone & Joint Centre, FV Hospital, Mrs H.S. had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for years. Malnutrition, recurrent pneumonia, prolonged immobility, incontinence, and a lack of regular repositioning had caused her pressure ulcers to worsen and the infections to spread extensively.

Immediately, the FV team mobilised to stabilise the elderly patient. The wounds were thoroughly cleaned and dressings changed regularly, combined with a VAC (negative pressure wound therapy) to remove pus, alongside a specialised nutritional plan to improve the patient’s condition and strengthen her immunity.

Once her health was stable enough for surgery, the surgical team led by Dr Truong Hoang Vinh Khiem performed microsurgery, removing all necrotic tissue and using a flap of healthy skin from the buttock to “patch” the large pressure ulcers over the sacral area. Following the procedure, she began physiotherapy to gradually restore her mobility.

167 Days of Miraculous Recovery

After the surgery, the patient began a months-long recovery. Each day for Mrs H.S. involved attentive support: assistance with personal hygiene and feeding, physiotherapy sessions with specialists, and wheelchair outings for sunlight.

Ms Hoang Thi Hai Van, Head Nurse of Surgical West Ward, described the challenges of caring for Mrs H.S., an Alzheimer’s patient who did not speak Vietnamese. The patient often became restless, pulling out tubes and lines. “We always stayed by her side to ensure she wouldn’t harm herself,” Ms Van recalled.

During the stay, the nursing team grew fond of the gentle and sweet-natured elderly patient. They talked with her; she listened and smiled. Her family felt reassured after entrusting her to the hospital’s care. “Honestly, we treated her like our own grandmother,” Ms Van shared.

“FV felt like our second home!”

Day by day, FV’s multidisciplinary team helped Mrs H.S. gradually recover from her critical condition. From being bedridden with ulcers all over her body, she eventually regained the ability to stand and walk. When she was well enough for discharge, her family asked to keep her at FV until she was fully recovered, recognising they could not provide the same level of care as the nursing team.

On her 77th birthday, the FV nurses held a small celebration. Mrs H.S. blew out the candles on her cake, smiling brightly at the familiar faces of the medical team. It was a meaningful moment for the team.

On the day of her discharge, Mrs H.S. had recovered well, her skin healthy and rosy. As the medical team reluctantly said goodbye, she smiled and waved, saying “bye bye”. Seeing this, her daughter burst into tears, overcome with emotion.

“Thank you to the doctors and all the medical staff for taking such great care of my mother. I feel like FV is our second home. From the bottom of my heart, I truly love and appreciate everyone,” she shared.

Dr Khiem, the primary physician treating Mrs H.S., noted that treating pressure ulcers in elderly patients is highly challenging, and requires a multidisciplinary approach involving internal medicine, surgery, physiotherapy, and nutrition. He added that Mrs H.S.’s remarkable recovery was greatly supported by the FV Surgery Ward nursing team, who stayed by her side around the clock for six months. They cared for her not only with professional responsibility, but also as if she were a close family member.

For more information on pressure ulcer treatment, please contact the Bone & Joint Centre at FV Hospital: 028 3511 3333.