title: Preventing Facial Pressure Ulcers in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In patients with acute lung injury and/or severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), prone positioning is a therapeutic intervention to improve oxygenation. Positioning a patient in a prone position increases the risk of medical device-related pressure ulcers in the facial area.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article summarizes experience with 4 patients with ARDS. Two did not receive pressure ulcer preventive measures and subsequently developed multiple necrotic facial pressure ulcers related to prone positioning for treatment of ARDS. The other 2 patients were managed on a thin silicone foam dressing; neither of these patients developed facial pressure ulcers during pronation therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of thin soft silicone foam dressings may prevent the development of facial deep tissue injuries in patients receiving prolonged pronation therapy.
authors.affiliation: Ruth S. Kim, BSN, RN, CWOCN, CFCN, Wound and Ostomy Clinician, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Kimberly Mullins, MSN, APRN, AOCNP, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Ruth S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mullins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000009:adverse effects; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D016684:Prone Position; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D012826:Silicone Elastomers