Pressure Ulcer Incidence

Paper Summary:

This paper investigates pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores that are formed where skin and tissue are squeezed between bone and an outside surface for long periods of time, often due to immobility. It proposes scientific research aimed at discovering the development and underlying reasons that the illness is so common amongst elderly long term care patients.

From the Paper:

"Because PUs are so common, cause distress to the patient and their family, and can form the basis for litigation, it is important for the long-term medical care community to find ways to reduce their prevalence and incidence. Two commonly suggested solutions to the PU problem include identifying patients at risk using risk assessment methods and initiating preventive measures (Ayello & Braden, 2002). In order for long term care staff to identify patients at risk they must be educated in assessment of the risk for developing PUs. One risk assessment method used in this area is the Braden Scale, developed in 1987 by Drs. Barbara Braden and Nancy Bergstrom. The scale attempts to identify risk factors that increase the chance that patients will develop PUs in the future and assigns a numeric value to the risk for any particular patient (Bergstrom, Braden, Laguzza, & Holman, 1987)."

More papers on Pressure Ulcer Incidence:

• Term Paper # 100009 : "Pressure Ulcers"
• Descriptive Essay # 110484 : "Pressure Ulcers"
• Research Paper # 70038 : "Pressure Ulcers in Geriatric Patients"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: