Pressure ulcers are still considered a serious problem, especially in elderly people and in situations of chronic-degenerative diseases. The purpose of this study was to identify the literature production about actions of prevention and treatment performed by nurses published from 1999 to 2004, describing the knowledge produced about the theme. This is a descriptive literature review of nursing...

Clinicians are confused by conflicting guidelines about the use of head-of-bed elevation to prevent aspiration and pressure ulcers in critically ill patients. Research-based information in support of guidelines for head-of-bed elevation to prevent either condition is limited. However, positioning of the head of the bed has been studied more extensively for the prevention of aspiration than for ...

The Norton scoring system is used by nurses to evaluate pressure ulcer risk. The authors have previously shown that low admission Norton scale scores (ANSS) are associated with postoperative complications other than pressure ulcers following hip fracture and spine fracture surgery in elderly patients. The purpose of this retrospective, cross-sectional study study was to determine whether low AN...

Under-nutrition, inadequate protein or poor protein and energy intake and unintended weight loss have been identified as independent risk factors for the development of pressure ulcers. Providing oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in addition to regular food intake seems a logical way to replenish body shortages of macro- and micronutrients as well as to supply extra nutrients for the preservat...

Skin breakdown is a common adverse occurrence in healthcare facilities; effective management of related risk factors is critical for prevention. Measures focusing on the skin care of patients with incontinence are recommended to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers on the sacrum and ischium. However, little research exists to support these recommendations. A retrospective study was conducted...

The prevention of hospital acquired pressure ulcers in critically ill patients remains a significant clinical challenge. The aim of this trial was to investigate the effectiveness of multi-layered soft silicone foam dressings in preventing intensive care unit (ICU) pressure ulcers when applied in the emergency department to 440 trauma and critically ill patients. Intervention group patients (n ...

Pressure ulcers affect quality of life and general wellbeing, and create significant difficulties for patients, their carers and families. Pressure ulcers are associated with morbidity and mortality, and prove costly for healthcare providers. This article identifies the Government's quality agenda and the importance of maintaining, developing and delivering quality care for the prevention of pr...

Avoidable pressure ulcers are being increasingly used as an indicator of substandard care. Healthcare professionals may have to account for their actions when a pressure ulcer occurs. This article highlights accountability and legal issues that nurses may encounter when Scaring for patients with wounds and, in particular, pressure ulcers.

OBJECTIVE To compare whether differences exist between alternating pressure overlays and alternating pressure mattresses in the development of new pressure ulcers, healing of existing pressure ulcers, and patient acceptability. DESIGN Pragmatic, open, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. SETTING 11 hospitals in six NHS trusts. PARTICIPANTS 1972 people admitted to hospital as acute or...

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of two instruments (the Braden scale and a multi-pad pressure evaluator) for predicting pressure ulcer development. A prospective cohort design was used and 105 intensive care unit patients participated in this study. The result was a 33% incidence of pressure ulcers. Both the Braden score and the multi-pad pressure evaluator instruments gave ...