Utility of high-frequency ultrasound: moving beyond the surface to detect changes in skin integrity

Valentina S Lucas¹, Ruth S Burk, Sue Creehan+1

• ¹Valentina S. Lucas, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, is a nurse practitioner in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. She was an investigator for the NIH-funded (R01 NR010381) study "Effect of Backrest Elevation on Skin Integrity in the Critically Ill," which included the use of high-frequency ultrasound technology. Ruth S. Burk, PhD, RN, is Assistant Professor at University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston. She was a doctoral research assistant for the NIH-funded (R01 NR010381) study "Effect of Backrest Elevation on Skin Integrity in the Critically Ill," which used the high-frequency ultrasound technology described here. Sue Creehan, BSN, RN, CWON, is Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse, the Program Manager for the wound care team at VCU Medical Center, the organizational champion for their interdisciplinary hospital-acquired pressure ulcer reduction program, and chair of the unit-based champions of skin integrity team. Mary Jo Grap, PhD, RN, FAAN, is the Nursing Alumni Distinguished Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing. She is the Principal Investigator for the NIH-funded (R01 NR010381) study "Effect of Backrest Elevation on Skin Integrity in the Critically Ill" that included the use of the high-frequency ultrasound technology described here.