ABSTRACT
DEFINITION A pressure ulcer is an area of localised damage to skin and/or underlying tissue ➤ caused by pressure, shear, friction and/or a combination of these.1
STATISTICS Ill older people are at high risk. ➤ Inpatient prevalence ranges from 5-10%. ➤ Over 70% occur in those aged over 70. ➤ Increase mortality rate fi ve-fold. ➤ Prolong hospital length of stay. ➤ Expensive to treat. ➤ A potential cause of litigation. ➤ Most can be prevented. ➤
COMMON SITES Back of head. ➤ Ears. ➤ Shoulders. ➤ Rib cage. ➤ Elbows. ➤ Buttocks (sacrum/ischium). ➤ Legs (trochanters/malleoli). ➤ Heels. ➤ Toes. ➤ Th e areas aff ected depend on patient’s position. ➤
Pressure ulcers are graded according to degree of tissue damage. ➤ Grade 1: ➤
non-blanchable erythema of intact skin — discolouration, warmth, oedema or induration used as indicators, especially in — darker skin.
