Pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit: the 'forgotten' enemy

Reilly, Eugene F.; Karakousis, G. C.; Schrag, Sherwin P. and Stawicki, S. Peter (2007) Pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit: the 'forgotten' enemy. OPUS 12 Scientist, 1 (2). pp. 17-30. ISSN 1940-8633

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Abstract

Pressure ulcers (PU) have plagued critically ill and debilitated patients since the dawn of recorded medicine. Pressure ulcers are associated with adverse patient outcomes, and contribute to patient pain, depression, loss of function and independence, increased incidence of infection and sepsis, additional surgical interventions, and prolonged hospital stays. Therefore, the best treatment for pressure ulcers is to prevent their development. Relatively little has been written about PU in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, making this topic relatively ‘forgotten’ not only from clinical standpoint but also from research standpoint. For the intensivist, the concern for total welfare of the sickest and most dependent persons requires an excellent understanding of the epidemiology, causes, and effective methods for the prevention and treatment of PU in the context of a multidisciplinary team. This review focuses on PU prevention, diagnosis and treatment in the intensive care setting.

EPrint Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Pressure Ulcers, Critically Ill Patients, Intensive Care Unit, Wound Care, Preventive Strategies, Protective Surfaces, Sepsis, Osteomyelitis, Mortality, Local Infection
Subjects:	Environment and Public Health > Public Health > Epidemiologic Measurements > Demography > Vital Statistics > Mortality Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms > Signs and Symptoms > Pain -Journal Repositories > OPUS 12 Scientist Disorders of Environmental Origin > Wounds and Injuries > Wound Infection Bacterial Infections and Mycoses > Infection > Bone Diseases, Infectious Musculoskeletal Diseases > Bone Diseases > Bone Diseases, Infectious Therapeutics > Patient Care Health Occupations > Nursing Disorders of Environmental Origin > Wounds and Injuries > Wounds, Nonpenetrating Bacterial Infections and Mycoses > Infection > Sepsis Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases > Skin Diseases > Skin Ulcer Investigative Techniques > Epidemiologic Methods > Data Collection > Vital Statistics > Mortality Health Occupations > Nursing, Practical Health Care Facilities, Manpower, and Services > Health Facilities
ID Code:	2622
Deposited By:	Dr S. Peter Stawicki
Deposited On:	26 February 2008

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