A nurse-led approach to preventing pressure ulcers

Rehabil Nurs. 2011 May-Jun;36(3):106-10. doi: 10.1002/j.2048-7940.2011.tb00074.x.

Abstract

This article discusses a nurse-led multidisciplinary approach that care providers can use to reduce pressure ulcers (PUs) within their organizations. Given the current understanding of PU etiology and prevention, evidence-based prevention protocols and pressure-relief strategies serve as critical foundational principles that must be applied to significantly influence PU prevalence and incidence. Because nursing plays an important role in rehabilitation facility management, nurses' expertise, leadership, and knowledge make nursing the most appropriate discipline to design protocols, implement innovative solutions, and lead the charge for PU prevention.

MeSH terms

  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Pressure Ulcer / epidemiology
  • Pressure Ulcer / nursing*
  • Pressure Ulcer / prevention & control*
  • Prevalence
  • Rehabilitation Nursing / methods*
  • Risk Factors