[The guidelines for the effective prevention of pressure ulcers]

The pressure ulcers belong to hard healing chronic wounds which can be the cause of heavy systemic complications delaying recovery to health and exposing patients to psychophysical suffering. They increase the demand for medical care and cause the growth of general costs of treatment and hospitalization. The most subjected to the development of bedsores are long-term immobilized and severely ill patients. Therefore, identification of high risk patients and the initiation of preventive workings are highly recommended. The aim of this work was to indicate the essential elements of prophylaxis of bedsores that are helpful in organization ofnurses' work. They include the following elements: risk estimation, decreased pressure and mechanical forces, correct state of skin, pain control, assurance of proper nutrition state, patient's activation, complex and individualized care. To achieve high effectiveness of prevention the teams initiating and estimating the effectiveness of standards and prophylaxis programs and treatment of chronic wounds are appointed. The aim of their work is to reduce the prevalence and the development of bedsores among menaced patients.