Wound care
Article Abstract:
Pressure sores cause great pain, raise care costs and create health risks, yet 95% of them are preventable. The tissue damage occurs due to occlusion of blood vessels in the area under pressure. Older people are particularly vulnerable due to skin changes. Prevention of pressure sores begins with an assessment of risk using an appropriate assessment tool. Interventions aimed at relieving pressure will relate to this risk assessment. Devices for patients with a low risk of developing pressure sores include foam mattresses. Devices for high risk patients include beds with air-releasing sacs.
Publication Name: Nursing Times
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0954-7762
Year: 1999
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Damage limitation
Article Abstract:
In 1992, the U.K. was found to have the highest incidence of pressure sores in hospital patients in Europe. However, a properly audited care programme is contributing to a reduction in pressure damage, with some hospitals reducing their figures to under 5% of patients. The Department of Health recommends that those hospitals wishing to reduce the incidence of pressure sores should undertake a review of existing policies in order to develop new standards.
Publication Name: Nursing Times
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0954-7762
Year: 1996
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Pressure ulcers: an assessment of the latest guidance
Article Abstract:
Latest advice from the UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on the evaluation and prevention of pressure ulcers is discussed. The importance of the NICE guidelines is undermined by the fact that, although derived from the RCN pressure ulcer prevention guidelines, there was insufficient time to subject them to the full process now used by NICE.
Publication Name: Nursing Times
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0954-7762
Year: 2001
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