Best Practice Statement
The Treatment/Management of Pressure Ulcers (PDF, 172K, 48 secs)
About this Publication
Pressure ulcers are areas of tissue death usually located over a bony prominence, caused by external forces of pressure, shear and/or friction. These may be further exacerbated by complications arising from the individual s physical condition, such as altered nutrition and excess moisture.
The treatment/management of pressure ulcers is often fraught with a vast array of interventions from pressure reducing surfaces to the physical treatment of the wound itself. This has led to confusion amongst practitioners with little consensus about good practice across the multiple care settings.
This best practice statement has been produced by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, to offer guidance to nurses, midwives, health visitors, untrained nursing staff and carers, caring for individuals with existing pressure ulcers within hospital, home or care homes.
This document aims to provide staff, patients and carers with a framework which can be utilised when making decisions relating to the treatment/management of pressure ulcers. The statement does not give specific details relating to product selection as it is intended to be used in conjunction with local policies and guidelines. The statement has been developed to ensure that carers across all care settings; primary, secondary and care homes are provided with relevant and accurate information to assist them in their decision-making when caring for patients who have a pressure ulcer.
The best practice statement for the treatment/management of pressure ulcers should be used in conjunction with the best practice statement for the prevention of pressure ulcers. Utilisation of both documents will ensure best practice is being achieved across all care settings. All tissue viability nurses within Scotland have been involved in the development of these documents.
