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Evidence-based pressure ulcer prevention methods

Staff Development Weekly: Insight on Evidence-Based Practice in Education, June 17, 2005

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The prevention of healthcare association-related pressure ulcers is not only a JCAHO patient safety goal, but, because of the financial burden associated with their prevention and treatment, it is also a goal for many hospitals. In fact, pressure ulcers cost U.S. acute-care facilities approximately $2.2-$3.6 billion annually. To help prevent pressure ulcers from occurring, staff must know the strategies for doing so. For example, teach staff to help at-risk patients minimize the potential of friction-and therefore pressure ulcers-by instructing them to

• place sheepskin at the foot of the bed-although not pressure reducing, it may help reduce friction injury
• Place socks on the patient (Note: Consider using gripper socks if the patient is someone who may get out of bed alone-to prevent falls associated with stocking feet)
• Protect heels with a transparent dressing-alone or in combination with socks
• Provide heel protectors (preferably seamless)

Editor's note: The above excerpt is adapted from Evidence-Based Pressure Ulcer Prevention: A Study Guide for Nurses, an HCPro, Inc, publication.

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