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J Clin Outcomes Manage
2009 Aug;16(8):375-381
Identifying best practices for pressure ulcer management
Jones KR
Abstract Objective: To provide a review of the management of pressure ulcers, starting with pressure redistribution and nutritional support and progressing to wound cleansing, debridement, dressings, bacterial management, and adjunctive therapies. Methods: Review of the literature. Results: Pressure ulcers occur frequently in the health care system despite available clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based tools to assess risk and establish prevention protocols. Once they occur, pressure ulcers seriously interfere with the individual’s quality, and sometimes quantity, of life. The management of chronic pressure ulcers is both costly and complex. Although the basic principles of chronic wound management are known, the evidence supporting current best practices to achieve pressure ulcer healing is weak and inconsistent. Clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews are used as the source for the recommended practices. The many gaps and inconsistencies in the knowledge base are also pointed out. Conclusion: More rigorous studies related to the common therapies associated with pressure ulcer management as well as the development of comprehensive databases that systematically collect data on routine pressure ulcer management practices and their outcomes are needed.
Clinical Review
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