Pressure Ulcer Prevention Studies: Current Perspectives

Abstract

Pressure ulcers are common and painful wounds encountered in intensive care settings that are preventable. The aim of this study is to summarize the best evidence on the prevention and management of pressure ulcers, aiming to reduce their incidence and improve care quality by providing an updated resource. In addition to guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention and the latest published recommendations, new proposals from high-evidence studies were reviewed. Recent studies have shown an increase in research related to pressure ulcers, particularly highlighting the potential use of prone positioning, which was also utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, in preventing pressure ulcers. However, guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention have not yet recommended this position at a certain level of evidence. The study also addresses the evaluation of risk factors using the Braden Scale, skin assessment and care, comparisons of support surfaces, comparisons of wound dressings, and educational strategies, all based on current research and evidence for preventing pressure ulcers. Thus, this study presents an overview of new approaches focusing on methods to prevent pressure ulcers, aiming to identify effective strategies based on current perspectives.

Keywords

• pressure ulcer
• prevention
• wound