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Pressure ulcers: a review
1Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital, Chicago, IL 60608.
Insights
Pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores, are common in hospitals and nursing homes, affecting up to 25% of residents. This review covers their causes, prevention, and management, including new research areas.
Area of Science:
- Wound Care
- Dermatology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Pressure ulcers (bed sores) are a significant clinical problem in healthcare settings.
- Prevalence rates range from 3-14% in hospitals and up to 25% in nursing homes.
- Commonly affect the sacrum, ischium, trochanters, ankles, and heels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of pressure ulcers.
- To discuss etiology, pathology, risk factors, and prevention strategies.
- To outline current and future management options, including novel research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pressure ulcer research.
- Analysis of prevalence data across different healthcare settings.
- Discussion of established and emerging treatment modalities.
Main Results:
- Identifies key risk factors, including immobility, elderly status, and spinal cord injury.
- Details the pathophysiology of pressure ulcer development.
- Highlights common locations and presents prevalence statistics.
Conclusions:
- Pressure ulcers remain a prevalent issue requiring multifaceted prevention and management strategies.
- Ongoing research into areas like electrical stimulation and growth factors holds promise for improved outcomes.
- Multidisciplinary approaches are essential for effective pressure ulcer care.
Abstract:
This article reviews the etiology, pathology, description, risk factors, prevention, medical and surgical management, and complications of pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers, which develop primarily from pressure and shear, are also known as decubitus ulcers, bed sores, and pressure sores. They continue to occur in hospitals, nursing homes, and among disabled persons in the community. Estimates of the prevalence of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients range from 3% to 14% and up to 25% in nursing homes. Persons with spinal cord injury and the elderly are two groups at high risk. The most common sites of development are the sacrum, ischium, trochanters, and about the ankles and heels. Areas of ongoing research such as electrical stimulation and growth factors are discussed.
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