Pressure ulcer development in trauma patients with suspected spinal injury; the influence of risk factors present in the Emergency Department

In the international pressure ulcer (PU) guideline, a PU is defined as ‘localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence, resulting from sustained pressure (including pressure associated with shear)’ (Haesler, 2014). It is clear that a PU results from pressure, but not all patients exposed to pressure develop PUs. The tissue res ponse on mechanical load (pressure) varies for each individual and multiple risk factors appear to play a role in PU development (Haesler, 2014).
Source: International Emergency Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Source Type: research