Using a national guideline to prevent and manage pressure ulcers.

Developing pressure ulcers is a painful and distressing event for patients, and one that can be prevented. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence pressure ulcer guideline has recently been updated to cover the prevention and management of this condition. This article focuses on the recommendations that are relevant to nurses, covering areas such as risk assessment, skin assessment, repositioning, pressure-redistributing devices, dressings, patient and carer information, and training and education. It also identifies what senior nurses and nurse managers must do to ensure their staff can prevent and manage pressure ulcers effectively.