Prevention, Care, and Treatment of Pressure (Decubitus) Ulcers in Intensive Care Unit Patients

Abstract

Pressure (decubitus) ulcers occur in approximately 4% of hospitalized patients. Patients in intensive care units are particularly at risk because they are relatively im mobile. Prolonged pressure, shearing forces, friction, and moisture are all etiological factors. Pressure ulcers may be complicated by infection and, rarely, carcinoma. Prevention depends on excellent nursing care that con centrates on meticulous skin care and relief of pressure. Once a pressure ulcer occurs, alleviation of local pres sure, maintenance of a clean ulcer base, promotion of new skin growth, and attention to nutritional and other medical conditions that might debilitate the patient fur ther are all necessary for healing.