Pressure Ulcers Essay

Working in home health agency this type of issues is very frequently in my patients. With the reduction of pressure ulcers, we can decrease the cost of length and also provide a better quality of life of many patients. Educational programs in the prevention and correct treatment are very important and also increase the knowledge, skills and continue education as well attitude

This essay is going to explore the nursing process with regard to the prevention of pressure ulcers.

Despite advancement of technology, pressure ulcer continues to be a primordial in the health care system. Prevention of pressure ulcer remains an important issue in the health care facility. The critically ill ICU patient is the main target of this disease. Prevention remains the key for this problem. Some facility have standard policy for the eradication of pressure ulcer However the question is will the sacrum pressure ulcer formation be reduced in adult critically ill clients

Pressure ulcers that occur in the long term care setting are increasing in the number of incidences each year in the United States. Consequences and complications of pressure ulcer development include pain, sepsis, cellulitis, bone, and joint infections. Pressure ulcers are also associated with an increased morbidity and mortality rate, negative emotional and physical effects on patients and caregivers, and are the second leading cause of litigation in long term care facilities. The cost of treatment for pressure ulcers in the United States is estimated at 11 billion dollars annually. This has led to many programs that focus on education and intervention to prevent the development of pressure ulcers, even being addressed in public initiatives such as Healthy People 2010. Appropriate information and education for healthcare providers, patients, and families has proven to be a key factor in the prevention of pressure ulcer development. Wound management is an area of healthcare that must include a comprehensive plan for the best outcome. A care plan that includes a well-educated care team composed of various disciplines working together for holistic care of each patient has seen the best results for patients who suffer from pressure ulcers.

Jaul, E. (2010). Assessment and management of pressure ulcers in the elderly: current strategies. Drugs & Aging, (4), 311.

The specific groups I will be comparing will be patients over the age of 18 during their hospital stay. I will be looking at how the use frequent turning my help prevent pressure ulcers compared to not receiving the frequent turning. After the pressure ulcer is developed I will examine the different treatments available for healing. I am interested in the specific outcome of having no significant pressure ulcers on any patient. This is to ensure patient safety and their well-being. As stated before pressure ulcers can cause big problems including death. If a pressure ulcer has developed some outcomes for that would be wound size reduction, loss of pain and sensitivity to that area, preventing sepsis, and eventual

The surveys were conducted between 1989 and 2005 predominantly in the US and showed an increase of 4.4% in number of nosocomial pressure ulcer prevalence rated with increase 6.3% in overall pressure ulcer prevalence rates. Nosocomial pressure ulcer prevalence rates were highest in long-term acute care facilities with anatomical location of greatest number of pressure ulcers being sacrum, hells and buttocks. The surveys also revealed that majority of Stage IV pressure ulcers were related to patients with dark skin: N=447,930 (total number of patients in survey), n1=1024 (dark skinned patients), n2 = 164 (dark skinned patients with Stage IV pressure ulcers). The incidence rates of pressure ulcers averaged at 5.4% which correlated with contributing factors of Braden Scores less than 18, serum albumin levels less than 3, fecal/urine incontinence, fragile skin and

Pressure ulcers are; damage to the skin or underlying structures from either inadequate perfusion or tissue compression. (Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 2009, p. 1889). Those at an increased risk for pressure ulcer formation: older adults, persons with spinal cord injury, surgical patients, obese patients, underweight patients, children and patients at end of life. (Ruth & Nix, 2012, p. 125). The Braden Scale, is a tool used to help identify a patient’s risk of developing a pressure ulcer.

Pressure ulcers remain a major health problem for many years. However, pressure ulcers have received minimal attention when we talk about patient safety issues. It is no doubt a patient safety issue as it can lead to serious damage such as life-threatening infections (Robyn). On a med/surge unit, individuals may experience long or short hospital stays depending on the situation. For the short stays, the focus of care is often on maximizing regaining activities of daily living and assessment and education regarding pressure ulcers is often minimal or non-existent (RNAO). What we fail to realize is that every patient who is at risk needs to be assessed and educated regarding pressure ulcers and the harm it can cause. During the hospital stay, patients may have limited movement and the pressure ulcers can extend into the muscle, tendon, and bone (RNAO). In many cases, patients do not notice the formation of an ulcer and as it may be in areas that are not as visible such as the coccyx. On a unit where there is short staffing, it is more vital to remember to assess for pressure ulcers and prevent the formation of an ulcer. Often, patients are admitted with the presence of a stage one or two pressure ulcer, whether it was from home or long-term care. In that case, patient education need to take place and teachings should be reinforced regarding the prevention of new pressure ulcers forming. Clients should also receive education regarding how to prevent

Williams, 1992 states that pressure ulcer occurs where there is poor level of nursing care for a long term basis but it is also found with hospitals that offer severe care. We know that a sore healing needs conditions of dietary aspects and it can be reversed. There have been several studies made

Pressure ulcer prevention requires a team effort, involving physicians, nurses (including wound, ostomy, and continence nurses), dietitians, and physical therapists. Studies have demonstrated that comprehensive pressure ulcer prevention programs can decrease incidence rates, although not to zero. For optimal effectiveness, pressure ulcer prevention must begin as soon as patients enter the

The purpose of this paper is to acknowledge pressure ulcers, including what a pressure ulcer is and what it should look like in each stage of progression. Furthermore, it should educate the reader on how a pressure ulcer is formed. After reading this paper you should see the importance of preventing pressure ulcers altogether. Through review of various peer reviewed articles, as well as credible internet sources, information will be gathered to show statistics of pressure ulcers in the elderly as well as the contributing factors of this problem. There are solid ways to prevent elderly patients from getting pressure ulcers.

Be sure all shifts are represented. Risk assessment to all residents every shift. Educate all staff the knowledge of pressure ulcer including risk factors, prevention method. Ensure that all the staff, understand the guidelines, policies and role of responsibility. Empower them to organize their shifts and tasks, assure interventions are implemented and communicated. Use evidence-based pressure ulcer prevention guidelines in the clinical practice. The electronic computer support system create a resident-tailored protocol information into the system included (1) Record the preventive materials for easy entrance. Such as foam mattress availability. (2) Resident pressure ulcer risk assessment, pressure ulcer and skin assessments. (3) Information on evidence-based interventions and referrals to other types of care staff such as dieticians. Nutrition interventions have been found to reduce

A pressure ulcer is an area of skin with unrelieved pressure resulting in ischemia, cell death, and necrotic tissue. The constant external pressure or rubbing that exceeds the arterial capillary pressure (32 mm Hg) and impairs local normal blood flow to tissue for an extended period, results in pressure ulcer (Brunner and Smeltzer, 2013). According to National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, 2014, pressure ulcers are a major burden to the society, as it approaches $11 billion annually, with a cost range from $500 to $70,000 per person pressure ulcer. It is a significant healthcare problem despite much investment in education, training, and prevention equipment. This paper includes two different studies to link cause-effect and prevention of pressure ulcers.

Article two focuses on the effects pressure mattresses and overlays have in terms of the prevention of pressure ulcers. It is a quasi-experimental study. The study took place in a