Pressure Ulcers
A pressure ulcer (PU) is a localized wound, usually over a bony prominence and is a result of direct pressure in combination with shear. |
What causes pressure ulcers?
In short, PU's are caused by an oxygen deficiency; a pressure ulcer is a wound caused by inadequate blood supply to a localized area. "A compressing force higher than the capillary pressure will curb the flow in the capillaries and lymphatic vessels, resulting in, on the one hand, an insufficient oxygen and nutrition supply, and, on the other hand, an inadequate drainage of waste products" (Defloor, Vanderwee, & Dealey, 2010). The pressure, or compressing force, increases with the depth of the tissue, with the greatest pressure being placed on the underlying bone. |
Risk factors |
Statistics
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Preventing Pressure Ulcers
The best treatment for pressure ulcers is prevention! Prevention starts with detecting patients at high risk and implementing use of pressure redistributing mattress and/ or other positioning devices, and ensuring adequate nutrition.
Localized wound care may include debridement, dressings, and/ or moisture barriers, depending on the presentation of the wound.
Address incontinence: It is important to identify and address causes of diarrhea and incontinence. Proper absorbent products - pads and briefs - should be used and should be changed as soon as they are noted to be soiled. Skin cleansers and protection with moisture barriers can reduce skin breakdown.
Localized wound care may include debridement, dressings, and/ or moisture barriers, depending on the presentation of the wound.
Address incontinence: It is important to identify and address causes of diarrhea and incontinence. Proper absorbent products - pads and briefs - should be used and should be changed as soon as they are noted to be soiled. Skin cleansers and protection with moisture barriers can reduce skin breakdown.
Hand-outs
Preventing Pressure Ulcers |
Patient Safety: Pressure Sore Prevention |
Let's Talk About.... Pressure sores |
Let's Talk About... Spina bifida and skin careWounds we treat and how we treat them: |