The effective management of pressure ulcers.
The challenges of managing pressure ulcers are often not limited to clinical decisions; they may impact other areas that encompass patient care, including financial, emotional, psychosocial, regulatory, and medical-legal aspects. The difficulty in managing these complex factors is magnified by recent gains in understanding of the pathophysiology of wounds related to pressure, which serves as the basis for the etiology, diagnosis, staging, and management of these wounds. This article summarizes the current and evolving knowledge related to pressure ulcers and discusses an algorithm recently developed to assist in clinical management decisions related to patients with pressure ulcers, with emphasis on appropriate utilization of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy delivered by V.A.C. Therapy (KCI USA, Inc.) in patients with Stage III and Stage IV pressure ulcers.
Center for Comprehensive Wound Care and Oxygen Therapy, St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Jeffrey A
JA
Niezgoda
Susan
S
Mendez-Eastman
D000465:Algorithms; D001458:Bandages; D001513:Beds; D000075202:Contraindications; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003646:Debridement; D003663:Decision Trees; D004282:Documentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009737:Nursing Records; D018579:Patient Selection; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014945:Wound Healing