Pressure ulcers: Prevention and management

Abstract

Prevention has been a primary goal of pressure ulcer research. Despite such efforts, pressure ulcers remain common in hospitals and in the community. Moreover, pressure ulcers often become chronic wounds that are difficult to treat and that tend to recur after healing. Especially given these challenges, dermatologists should have the knowledge and skills to implement pressure ulcer prevention strategies and to effectively treat pressure ulcers in their patients. This continuing medical education article focuses on pressure ulcer prevention and management, with an emphasis on the evidence for commonly accepted practices.

Keywords: chronic wounds; debridement; dressings; management; nutrition; pressure injury; pressure sore; pressure ulcer; prevention; repositioning; support surface; surgery; therapy; treatment; wound care; wound healing; wounds.