Pressure ulcers present a major health problem, particularly for immobilized older adults. The prevalence of pressure ulcers increases with age. Age is the most predisposing risk factor for development pressure ulcers among other risk factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of pressure ulcers for hospitalized patients range from 2.7 to 29.5% and greater of more than 50% have been witnessed in intensive care units (ICUs) (Sewchuk, Padula, & Osborne, 2006). The National Center for Quality established National Database of Nursing (NDNQI) which provides a benchmark for quality indicators including pressure ulcers. Immobilized patients have increased the risk of developing pressure ulcers. Development of pressure ulcers is directly associated with tolerance of tissue pressure, and intensity and duration of that pressure. Tolerance of the tissue under pressure reflects the supporting structures and the ability of skin to tolerate the effect of pressure. Various interventions such as the use of pressure-reducing surfaces and intraoperative prevention are used to prevent pressure ulcers. This paper seeks to explore how prevention of pressure ulcers has the potential to improve the quality, safety, and outcomes of patients and families.Pressure Ulcers Assignment Essay

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Importance Prevention of Pressure Ulcers

Monitoring and protecting the condition of patient’s skin helps to improve patient’s safety, quality of life and outcomes. The starting point in preventing pressure ulcers is risk assessment (Sewchuk, Padula, & Osborne, 2006). A structured risk assessment tool can be used to identify patients at risk of developing pressure ulcers as early as possible. The use of a risk assessment tool helps to promote patient safety by identifying a patient’s risk of developing a pressure ulcer.Pressure Ulcers Assignment Essay

Pressure ulcers can also be prevented through skin care. Monitoring and protecting the skin of a patient is important for preventing pressure sores. Healthcare providers can inspect for signs of pressure injuries and clean hospitalized patient at least daily using skin moisturizers and skin cleansers that a PH balanced for the skin. Skin care also involves avoiding positioning the patient in the area of pressure injury (Sewchuk, Padula, & Osborne, 2006). This intervention for preventing the development of pressure ulcers helps to improve the quality of life of the patient and patient outcomes.

Pressure ulcers can also be reduced through nutrition. Hospitalized patients are at high risk of undernutrition. The healthcare provider can use a valid tool to examine a patient’s risk for malnutrition. Patients at risk can be referred to a registered nutritionist or dietician. The patient’s weight can also be assessed to determine their risk for malnutrition (Sewchuk, Padula, & Osborne, 2006). This intervention for pressure ulcers has the potential to improve the quality, safety, and outcomes of patients and families by improving their general health.

Pressure ulcers can also be prevented through positioning and mobilization. Immobility is a primary factor which causes pressure ulcers and can be due to various factors including paralysis, sedation, general poor health condition, age, and coma. Caregivers are required to reposition and turn at-risk patients if not contraindicated and provide a support surface for the patient (Sewchuk, Padula, & Osborne, 2006). They are also encouraged to design a scheduled frequency of repositioning and turning the patient.Pressure Ulcers Assignment Essay

Available data and leadership’s goal for improvement

Although various strategies have been set up to prevent and reduce the prevalence of pressure ulcers, they remain a major problem, particularly for immobilized older patients. Quantitative research has shown that implementation of quality improvement within an organization can be challenging without the right monitoring, training and leadership support (Sewchuk, Padula, & Osborne, 2006).

Implementing strategies for preventing pressure ulcers requires healthcare providers to monitor the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers. All members of the interdisciplinary team should also be educated and trained to ensure that they are aware of the plan for care and all care is recorded in the patient’s chat. To achieve the goal of prevention of pressure ulcers, there should be an adequate allocation of resources, oversight, and leadership support (Sewchuk, Padula, & Osborne, 2006).Pressure Ulcers Assignment Essay

ADDITIONAL INFO 

Importance of Prevention of Pressure Ulcers

Introduction

Pressure ulcers are a serious condition that affects thousands of people each year in the United States. Every patient who develops a pressure ulcer increases his or her risk for other serious medical conditions—and this risk is greater than any other cause of death among hospitalized patients. Pressure ulcers can be caused by several factors, including poor hygiene and hygiene practices that are unsafe for patients, bed positioning (such as lying flat) without supports, lack of sufficient moisture in the environment at night, high humidity levels during sleep times and more.

Patients can have pressure ulcers that may be associated with increased risk for death, sepsis and other serious medical conditions.

Pressure ulcers are a serious problem, especially in hospitalized patients. They can lead to death and other serious medical conditions.

The best way to prevent pressure ulcers is by taking care of yourself before, during and after surgery or hospitalization. This includes getting enough rest and eating healthy food that doesn’t cause you any pain or discomfort when it’s time for meals or snacks throughout the day/night cycle (when you’re awake). It also means remembering what position is most comfortable for sleeping so that your body will be able to heal itself more quickly after surgery when there isn’t enough blood flow through certain areas because they’ve been damaged by immobility caused by bedsores (another type of pressure sore).

Pressure ulcers pose a substantial economic burden to the healthcare system.

Pressure ulcers are a source of substantial economic burden. The healthcare costs associated with pressure ulcers in the United States have been estimated at $9 billion per year, and these figures are likely much higher worldwide. This includes direct treatment costs (such as bedrest and nursing care) and indirect costs (for example, lost productivity).

In addition to being a significant financial burden on society, pressure ulcers also pose an aesthetic challenge for patients and their families who must deal with the physical disfigurement that results from prolonged pressure on the skin’s surface area.

A lot of patients in hospitals have pressure ulcers.

As a result of the aging population and the constant increase in number of elderly people, pressure ulcers are becoming more common. This can be seen even at home when you have an elderly person who is bed-ridden or immobile for long periods. Pressure ulcers are also common among patients with diabetes and some other medical conditions such as cancer or heart disease.

In addition to these factors, it has been found that there are certain risk factors for developing a pressure ulcer:

• Age: The older you get, the greater your risk of developing one because your skin becomes thinner over time which makes it more susceptible to damage from pressure points on surfaces like beds or chairs; this includes children as well!

• Immobility: Having trouble moving around because of injury or illness can increase your chances for developing one since being confined in bed increases chances for being injured by falls while trying to move around inside its confines; this applies even if you’re not technically immobilized but rather only have limited movement due to pain medication used at times during recovery periods following surgery etcetera (like most surgeries).

If a pressure ulcer is treated within 4 weeks, the possibility of healing is high.

• Pressure ulcers are not just a cosmetic problem.

• A pressure ulcer can cause serious health problems.

• Pressure ulcers must be treated quickly and effectively in order to avoid long-term effects.

The cost of treating pressure ulcers increases tremendously after the first 4 weeks.

The costs of treating pressure ulcers increase tremendously after the first 4 weeks. The need for more intensive treatment and prolonged hospitalization, along with more staff time and medication, all add up to expensive surgery and physiotherapy. Also, the cost of equipment such as wheelchairs or walkers can be very high if they are required during recovery from a pressure ulcer.

Treating pressure ulcers within the first 4 weeks is crucial for successful healing at an optimal cost.

Treating pressure ulcers within the first 4 weeks is crucial for successful healing at an optimal cost.

The treatment of pressure ulcers can be very expensive, and care must be taken to ensure that your loved one doesn’t have additional complications from this condition. Pressure sores are often associated with other health issues, such as bacterial infections or sepsis, which may lead to serious complications and even death if left untreated.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the prevention of pressure ulcers is very important for patient safety and quality of care. Pressure ulcers can be associated with increased risk for death, sepsis and other serious medical conditions. Treatment within 4 weeks is crucial for successful healing at an optimal cost.