title: Ethical issues and accountability in pressure ulcer prevention.
abstract: Pressure ulcers represent a considerable cost, both in terms of healthcare spending and quality of life. They are increasingly viewed in terms of patient harm. For clinicians involved in pressure ulcer prevention, ethical issues surrounding accountability may arise from both policy and practice perspectives. It may be useful for clinicians to refer to ethical theories and principles to create frameworks when addressing ethical dilemmas. However, such theories and principles have been criticised for their simplicity and over-generalisation. Alternative theories, for example, virtue ethics and experiential learning, can provide more comprehensive guidance and promote a pluralistic approach to tackling ethical dilemmas.
authors.affiliation: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Welsh
mesh_terms: D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012941:Social Responsibility; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Accountability; duty of care; ethics; policy; pressure ulcer prevention; pressure ulcers; quality of life; wound care; wound management