Materials management and decubitus care. Purchasing for prevention

Pressure ulcers are still a serious problem for the hospitalized patient in this country. They cost the healthcare system billions of dollars annually for treatment. These ulcers also take their toll in the needless pain and suffering that is incurred by the afflicted patient. Pressure ulcers, for the most part, can be prevented. The major cause of pressure ulcers is thought to be a sustained pressure in excess of capillary pressure (32 mm Hg). In order to prevent or treat pressure ulcers, the most important step is to relieve pressure. The materials management professional is one of the front line players for assuring that patients receive an effective product and that pressure ulcers are prevented whenever possible. There are numerous mattresses and mattress overlays on the market that are touted as being effective pressure relieving devices. These devices can and should be objectively evaluated for their ability to relieve pressure. Because of the high costs associated with the treatment of pressure ulcers, the materials management professional must adopt a "cost-effective" approach to the screening of pressure-relieving devices instead of a "lowest cost" approach. This will assure that the nursing and medical staff have been provided with the proper tools to prevent pressure ulcers and that needless expenditures are not wasted on ineffective products.