Pressure ulcer patient and wound assessment: an AHCPR clinical practice guideline update

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) clinical practice guidelines on the treatment of pressure ulcers are based on the literature published before 1994. For the patient and wound assessment recommendations, a review of the literature from 1993 to 1998 was conducted in an effort to update this section of the guideline. In addition, the strength-of-evidence rating system used was critiqued for its narrow definitions, particularly as it pertains to recommendations related to assessment practices. Studies to determine the prospective validity of the entire guideline, as well as further research to assess the validity of individual recommendations, is needed.