martes, 24 de septiembre de 2019

How to Reduce the Risk of Pressure Ulcers

Sponsored Content by Select MedicalSep 17 2019

The best way to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers is to make sure that there is an effective prevention program in place. There is a significant body of research to support that the proper implementation of a comprehensive pressure ulcer prevention program reduces the onset of pressure ulcers.1

Pressure ulcers are painful wounds, so this is also important from a patient’s perspective. They occur when a particular area of the skin experiences increased pressure over a prolonged period. Some areas of the body are more susceptible, and the patches of skin which lie over a bony part of the body are most at risk. These include:

Buttocks
Ankles
Back
Hips 2

These areas are particularly susceptible, but patients and carers should be aware of pressure ulcers developing on the rim of the ears and towards the back of the head.

However, there are several preventative measures that all healthcare establishments should undertake to assist in the minimization of any potential risk. They should include:

Changing position regularly
Skin inspection
Good nutrition
Quitting smoking
Use of pressure-relieving devices such as cushions and mattresses3

With a proper pressure ulcer program in place, the incidence of pressure ulcers in vulnerable people can be greatly reduced, and it should be noted that without these strategies in place, healthcare companies could face legal action.

If a body does not implement the clinical guidelines on pressure ulcer risk assessment and prevention, then they open themselves up to the possibility of litigation.4

Who’s Most at Risk?

Some people are at a greater risk of developing pressure ulcers. This is a diverse demographic, but the people who fall under this category are usually:

Elderly (being over the age of 70)
Those who have a mobility problem
Individuals with health issues (disrupting blood supply)
Those who have poor food/fluid intake
People with incontinence issues
Those who suffer mental health problems which has an impact over their physical health5

The onset of pressure ulcers can occur quickly, and once present, they must be treated urgently before they progress to a more serious and severe wound.

If ischemia (an inadequate blood supply to a particular part of the body) is constant at an area of the body over a certain period of time then it may begin to turn into necrosis (where most or all of the cells in the tissue start to die due to the restricted blood supply to the skin). This is the genesis of a pressure ulcer and, in the most vulnerable patients, they may develop within only one hour.6

The Cost of Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers are a high cost within society, both to the patient experiencing them and also to the financial health of the NHS. The overall expense of treating a pressure ulcer naturally depends on the severity of the wound.

The current overall annual cost of treating pressure ulcers within the UK stands at approximately one to two billion pounds - a staggering figure.

The total cost in the UK is £1.4 billion – £2.1 billion annually (4% of total NHS expenditure). The majority of this is nurses’ time.7

The financial cost must not be the only thing considered, as the human cost of a pressure ulcer can be a debilitating experience and some patients have drawn attention to how painful pressure ulcers can be.

References and Further Reading

Lyder, C & Ayello, E (2008) Pressure Ulcers: A patient Safety Issue [online] Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2650/ [Accessed 30/08/2016]
Macon, L & Solan, M (2015) What you should know about Decubitus ulcers [online] Available at: http://www.healthline.com/health/pressure-ulcer#Overview1 [Accessed 30/08/2016]
NHS (2014) Pressure Ulcer – Prevention [online] Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pressure-ulcers/pages/prevention.aspx [Accessed 13/09/2016]
Richens, Y et al (2003) Pressure ulcer risk assessment and prevention [online] Available at: https://www2.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/109839/002166.pdf [Accessed 20/09/2016]
NHS (2014) Pressure Ulcers – Causes [online] Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pressure-ulcers/Pages/Causes.aspx [Accessed 30/08/2016]
Gebhardt. K (2002) Causes of Pressure Ulcers [online] Available at: https://www.nursingtimes.net/part-1-causes-of-pressure-ulcers/206473.article [Accessed 13/9/2016]
Bennet. G et al (2003) The cost of pressure ulcers in the UK [online] Available at: http://ageing.oxfordjournals.org/content/33/3/230.abstract [Accessed 13/09/2016]