Preventing pressure ulcers in home care patients.
A large proportion of home care patients present with pressure ulcers, and many more patients are at risk. Home care nurses have an opportunity to manipulate favorably certain environmental factors that can prevent pressure ulcers from forming and to develop effective treatment plans for ulcers once they occur. This article discusses the current practice for pressure ulcer prevention. Next month, a companion article will explore treatment strategies for these wounds.
Maklebust
J
J
Harper Hospital/Detroit Medical Center, Michigan 48201, USA. JMaklebust@aol.com
D000465:Algorithms; D001513:Beds; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D003663:Decision Trees; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing