Pressure ulcer management

Abstract

Pressure ulcers are usually the result of sustained pressure on parts of the body such as the heels, trochanteric and sacral areas. The main risk factors contributing to pressure ulcer formation are acute illness, injury or sedation. The two main groups of patients most susceptible of sustaining pressure ulcers are frail older patients and patients with spinal cord injuries. Frail older patients have thinner skin, are more likely to have a lower body mass index, and may be malnourished and immobile due to various neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies. Because of the phenomenon of an ageing population, pressure ulcers are becoming increasingly prevalent.