Pressure ulcer prevention and pressure-relieving surfaces.
Although rarely subject to media attention, political interest or research funding, pressure ulcers, and their almost inevitable increase in incidence, detrimentally affect the quality of life of thousands of patients, both in the hospital and community setting. In addition, the costs to the NHS of pressure-ulcer-related care in hospitals is estimated to be pounds sterling 1.8-pounds sterling 2.5 billion annually. Many pressure ulcers that develop could have been prevented, and there are several up-to-date, easily-accessible sources of evidence to guide decision-making regarding appropriate interventions in pressure care. Consideration and assessment of the patient holistically, followed by appropriate intervention and evaluation, is the key to any prevention strategy.
Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Chester, Chester.
Maureen
M
Benbow
D001513:Beds; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D011312:Pressure; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors