Reporting outcomes for stage IV pressure ulcer healing: a proposal.
OBJECTIVE
To calculate the average daily healing rate for Stage IV pressure ulcers. To create and analyze wound healing curves.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of healing rates of Stage IV pressure ulcers.


METHODS
Veterans Affairs Transitional Care Unit at the VA North Texas Health Care System.


METHODS
Nine residents with pelvic Stage IV pressure ulcers that were fully healed.


METHODS
A sodium chloride-impregnated gauze or calcium alginate was the primary dressing, followed by a hydrocolloid or foam dressing. Eschar was removed by sharp, mechanical debridement, and fibrous necrotic tissue was removed with wet-to-dry dressings.


METHODS
Wounds were measured weekly using linear length and width in centimeters; measurements were multiplied to obtain wound area. The end of treatment was considered to be full epithelialization of the wound.


RESULTS
Wound area reduction in square centimeters per day generally increased as initial wound area increased. However, the reduction in pressure ulcer area did not occur at a strict linear rate. The wound healing curves demonstrated the granulation, contraction, and epithelialization phases of wound healing.


CONCLUSIONS
Calculation of an average daily healing rate is a useful method for determining pressure ulcer healing outcomes. Averaging together wound healing curves would enable health care providers to more accurately predict future healing times and quickly assess delays in healing. A standardized method for reporting healing rates would also help establish a baseline rate of pressure ulcer healing.
Brown
G S
GS
VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, TX, USA.
D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012015:Reference Standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*