What Is a Pressure Ulcer?
Pressure ulcers, or bed sores, are a common problem among immobile patients confined to beds or wheelchairs, especially in intensive care units. These sores result from pressure and friction on the skin or tissues underneath, leading to local damage. Pressure ulcers often reflect the quality of nursing care received by the patient. They are considered an indicator of the level of attention and support provided to patients who are unable to move around freely. With the growing number of patients who require long-term care, it is crucial to understand the causes and risk factors of pressure ulcers and develop effective strategies to prevent and manage them. This issue is a concern in the healthcare industry, as pressure ulcers can lead to increased patient suffering and more extended hospital stays, as well as increased healthcare costs. It is crucial for healthcare providers to be knowledgeable about the causes and prevention of pressure ulcers and to develop a comprehensive approach to care for patients who are at risk.
Pressure Ulcer: Epidemiology
Pressure ulcers, also referred to as bed sores, are a widespread skin condition that can be particularly problematic for patients in long-term care. According to a study conducted by Hahnel et al. (3), the prevalence of pressure ulcers in US hospitals can be as high as 30% among seniors. This is a significant issue, particularly when compared to the rate of pressure ulcers among patients who are only hospitalized.
Pressure Ulcer: Clinical Presentation
Different stages of a stage ulcer have progressively worse appearances. According to Compton and Thomas (50), stage I is characterized by a non-blanchable redness, and stage II is a shallow open ulcer or a blister. Stage III and IV exhibit full thickness tissue loss, with stage III not exposing bone, tendon or muscle, unlike stage IV, which can even extend into muscle.
The depth of an ulcer primarily depends on the anatomical location. Areas such as the nose or ear can exhibit relatively shallow stage III ulcers due to the lack of subcutaneous tissue, while areas of significant adiposity can develop extremely deep wounds. The determination of the ulcer’s stage may also be complicated by the presence of slough and eschar obscuring the depth of the injury.
Pressure Ulcer Complications
A late-stage pressure ulcer is a severe injury in its own right, but there are also numerous complications that can arise from it. As pressure ulcers rarely affect muscle and bone, the primary source of concern lies in the wound’s infection and colonization. Compton and Thomas (144) list common issues as failure to heal, periwound candida infections, cellulitis, osteomyelitis and necrotizing fasciitis.
Periwound candida infections consist of contact dermatitis, fungal infections, and cellulitis. Necrotizing fasciitis is rare but potentially fatal, characterized by spreading necrosis of the skin, tissue, fascia, and at times skeletal muscles. Osteomyelitis is also uncommon, causing the inflammatory destruction of cortical or medullary bone.
Pressure Ulcer Diagnosis
It is possible to identify and treat a pressure ulcer before it becomes a danger to the patient. Compton and Thomas (42) recommend the usage of the Braden Scale, which estimates sensory perception, mobility, activity, moisture, nutrition, and friction and shear. Lower values on the sum of these estimates indicate a higher risk of a pressure ulcer.
It is important not to confuse a skin tear with a pressure ulcer, as the two are significantly different injuries. According to LeBlanc et al. (21), “Because skin tears and pressure ulcers share certain risk factors and clinical characteristics, identifying and classifying these wounds as distinct, separate wound types can pose a clinical challenge to health care professionals.” However, the wounds are treated differently, which means an incorrect diagnosis puts the patient at risk.
Pressure Ulcer Picot Question
Pressure ulcers are both dangerous and prevalent in patients under hospital care. However, with proper methods, they can be detected and prevented before they develop to a critical degree. As such, a PICOT question can be postulated: in patients identified as at high risk for pressure ulcer development (P), does the initiation of a pressure ulcer protocol in the emergency department (I) as compared to usual care (C) reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (O) on day 3 of hospitalization (T)?
Works Cited
Compton, Gregory A., and David R. Thomas. Pressure Ulcers in the Aging Population: A Guide for Clinicians. Humana Press, 2014.
Hahnel, Elisabeth, et al. “The epidemiology of skin conditions in the aged: A systematic review.” Journal of Tissue Viability, vol. 4, 2016, pp. 1-9.
LeBlanc, Kimberly, et al. “Clinical Challenges of Differentiating Skin Tears From Pressure Ulcers.” EWMA Journal, vol. 16, no. 1, 2016, pp. 17-23.