The Death of the Kennedy Terminal Ulcer

The concept of the Kennedy Terminal Ulcer (KTU) has been ubiquitous in attempting to explain the development of pressure based tissue injuries in patients with actual or presumed terminal conditions. The concept is problematic in that it uses factors other than pressure to explain the development and progression of pressure based tissue injuries, specifically the presence of a terminal condition. Based on the most current understanding of how pressure based tissue injuries develop and progress, the concept of The Kennedy Terminal Ulcer appears to be without physiologic basis and based solely on observation.

Source: Journal of the American College of Certified Wound Specialists - December 13, 2017 Category: Dermatology Authors: Michael S. Miller Tags: Review Article Source Type: research