Pressure ulcers: a strategic plan to prevent and heal them

Pressure ulcers are common in frail, disabled, or acutely ill older patients in the home, hospital, or nursing home. Prevention is the most important aspect of pressure ulcer care, and physician and nurse share in this responsibility. A nosocomial pressure ulcer adds significantly to mortality, morbidity, and hospital length-of-stay. Risk factor assessment scales can help identify patients who need prevention efforts, such as pressure relief, incontinence care, and nutritional supplements. When an ulcer does occur, careful documentation is required, including staging, size and depth description, and review of the interdisciplinary care plan. Knowledge of wound biology and cost-effectiveness should guide the choice of wound healing products.