The Importance Of Pressure Ulcer In Health Care

The research article "What influences the impact of pressure ulcers on health-related quality of life? A qualitative patient-focused exploration of contributory factors" was recently published (2012) in the Journal of Tissue Viability by Gorecki, Nixon, Madill, Firth, and Brown. This is a qualitative study.

Due to the burden and impact of pressure ulcer development on both the individual and the health service, it is accepted practice that risk assessment should be undertaken on

Nursing interventions play an important part in the reduction of pressure ulcers. A nurse can help to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers by promoting activity, carrying out skin inspections and assessments, and by using pressure relieving devices (Lynn, 2005). Some patients may fear being dropped when moved using equipment (Rogers, 1999), thus it is important for the Nurse to communicate with the patient, this way the Nurse can explain how the equipment works and the patient can express any concerns that they may have. It is important to remember that not all patients like lifting equipment and

A study conducted over seven years by Amir et al (2011) showed a significant decline of pressure ulcer development after three years of the study. This was partly due to strategies being implemented in regards to repositioning along with adequate nutrition, pressure ulcer prevention information leaflets were given to patients and skin assessments (Amir et al., 2011). It must also be considered that different patients will have different comorbidities and the use of a risk assessment tool is vital to assess and implementing a plan for pressure ulcer prevention according to the patient’s score (Tannen et al., 2010).

Pressure ulcers are a problem and can lead to poor patient outcomes as well as hospital fines. Evidence based studies have shown that “the average cost of care in an acute care hospital for a patient with a stage III or stage IV pressure ulcer reported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is $43,180” (Jackson, 2008). Pressure ulcers and other skin breakdowns are among the most significant adverse events causing distress for patients and their care givers and compromising patients’ recovery from illness or injury (Gardiner, 2008). It is the tasks of nurses to ensure prevention of these complications is part of the daily care regimen.

Pressure ulcers during a hospital admission are preventable. Assessment and early intervention can stop skin breakdown before it begins. Many factors regarding Mr. J’s condition placed him at a high risk regarding nursing indicators. Mild dementia, recent fall and a fractured hip all require a high level of nursing care and indicates preventative practice. Upon assessment, precautions should be in place to deter further complications. The elderly are more

While University Hospital is already on the brink of completely preventing pressure ulcers I would still recommend implementing all of the current practices but also add new additions to the team. Currently, we have a wound care team that diligently treats at risk and affected patients. Adding a nutritionist into the team to guarantee treatment from within along with prescribed medications. This will make the team and the strategies multidisciplinary. In addition to that, each treatment should be customized for each patient in regards to cost options and best treatment for their health. The project would also have to be performed repetitively without error to ensure that it is actually helpful. Patients’ skin should continue to be examined thoroughly in common places where ulcers could arise, the standardized pressure ulcer risk assessment should be used, and the proper care should be distributed once evaluated. The team should continue to record its progress and also provide company update emails to inform the facility, as well as send the appropriate data to the higher ups for public posting.

Pressure ulcers are a good way for the BSN prepared nurse to teach and educate RNs with an associate degree or diploma and other healthcare staff involved in patient care. This can be accomplished by introducing evidence-based practice information to them. They can be taught how to use to the Braden Scale effectively. They can teach others how to correctly stage and document pressure ulcers. Another important factor is stressing the importance of positioning, pressure-relieving devices, skin care and protection, and nutrition (Agency for Healthcare, 2009).

Pressure ulcers are areas of localised damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by pressure. (Stechmiller et al., 2008) Pressure ulcers still one of the most significant health problem in our hospitals today, It affects on patients quality of life patient self-image and how long they will stay in hospital then the cost of patient treatment . Moore (2005) estimate that it costs a quarter of a million euro’s per annum to manage pressure ulcers in hospital and community settings across Ireland .which allows one to take immediate actions and prevent the ulcer if possible. To support pressure ulcer risk assessment several standardized pressure ulcer risk assessment scales have been introduced

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

20). Further, the presence of pressure ulcers places a burden on patients and their family (Grinspun, 2005, p.21). As recommended by Grinspun (2005), pillows and foam wedges to separate prominences of the body and lifting devices have been beneficial to avoid friction (p. 32). Research suggests that the majority of pressure ulcers can be avoided. Although, the population at risk likely suffers from the possible contributors, as stated repositioning at least every 2 hours or sooner was effective (Grinspun, 2005, p. 32). When practicing I will reposition patients at appropriate times to reduce the risk of damage to the skin. Additionally, when moving a patient up in bed, I will request adequate assistance from other nursing staff to use a lifting device. This will help to avoid friction while the patient is being moved, ultimately reducing the development of pressure

Pressure ulcer prevention (PUP) in surgical patients has become a major interest in acute care hospitals with the increased focus on patient safety and quality of care. A pressure ulcer is any area of skin or underlying tissue that has been damaged by unrelieved pressure or pressure in combination with friction and shear. Pressure ulcers are caused due to diminished blood supply which in turn leads to decreased oxygen and nutrient delivery to the affected tissues (Tschannen, Bates, Talsma, &Guo, 2012). Pressure ulcers can cause extreme discomfort and often lead to serious, life threatening infections, which substantially increase the

A pressure ulcer is a localized injury to the skin usually over bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear. It is estimated that 5 to 10 percent of patient admitted to the hospital acquire a pressure ulcer and it result in increased suffering, morbidity and mortality. The policy titled Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Managing Skin integrity provides direction for the nurses to prevent the development of pressure ulcer. It

Pressure Ulcers affects patients the older patients due to the problem of immobility. A pressure

Working in a healthcare domain means providing the most effective and beneficial care for the incompetent patients. Particularly, to those who needs intimate nursing assistance such as dressing, bathing, eating, toileting and skin care activities ( Wurster 2007).This is especially true if the person is mentally, emotionally, and physically dependent like the clients in nursing homes. Nurses, health care assistants or support workers and other health care providers ought to educate themselves for improving quality of care and exceeding specific benchmarks in regards to pressure sores ( Wurster 2007). All the same the basic