Identifying the characteristics of children with pressure ulcers

Jane Willock1, Ceri Harris, Juanita Harrison

  • 1School of Care Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd.

Nursing Times
|March 30, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric pressure ulcers often involve superficial skin breaks and are frequently located on the sacrum, buttocks, or heels. Equipment-related pressure is a common cause, highlighting the need for specialized pediatric risk assessment tools.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nursing
  • Wound Care
  • Patient Safety

Background:

  • Pressure ulceration is a significant concern in pediatric healthcare.
  • Identifying at-risk children is crucial for prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize pressure ulceration in pediatric inpatients.
  • To inform the development of targeted prevention and risk assessment.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter survey was conducted across 11 hospitals.
  • Data collected on incidence, severity, and location of pressure ulcers in children.

Main Results:

  • The most common ulcer grade involved blistering or superficial skin breaks.
  • Frequent sites included the sacrum, buttocks, heel, thigh, ear, occipital scalp, malleolus, and spine.
  • Equipment-related pressure or friction was associated with 50% of cases.

Conclusions:

  • Current risk assessment tools may not be adequate for pediatric populations.
  • Further research is needed to identify specific risk factors and their significance in children.
  • Development of pediatric-specific risk assessment tools is recommended.
Abstract

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