How may pressure ulcers be prevented in tertiary health care settings?

... How may pressure ulcers be prevented in tertiary health care settings? A pressure sore is an area of localised damage to the skin and may involve underlying structures. Tissue damage can be restricted to superficial epidermal loss or extend to involve muscle and bone. Banks (1992, cited in Alexander, Fawcett & Runicman, 2001). The pressure sore problem presents major challenges for nurses as the problem is widespread and persistent, affecting patients from all walks of life and with a range of illnesses. It causes diminished quality of life and distress to patients and carers and it makes major financial demands on the health service. The true cost of pressure sores is not known, the estimated range from £60million to £200 million per year, Department of health (1993), cited in Clay, 2000), pressure sores not only cost money but can cause other problems, they may lengthen a patients stay in hospital, cause extra

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