Preventing pressure ulcers. Current perspective from the Casualty Department
R. Fernando García González, Manuel Gayo Fornells, Justo Rueda López, Joan Enric Torra i Bou, J. J. Soldevilla Agreda, José Verdú Soriano, Montserrat Arboix i Perejamo, Teresa Segovia Gómez, Ana María Muñoz Bueno

SUMMARY

  Pressure ulcers (PU) constitute a major challenge for the Health Care System. So far, Casualty Departments (CD) have seemed to be oblivious to this problem; the reason being that when the patient is compromised, these “minor” injuries may be regarded as susceptible to be handled by other hospital units and therefore are relegated to other areas of care. Numerous patients with pressure ulcers and others considered to be at risk (spinal injuries, elderly, paralysed, bed-ridden, etc.), frequently attend hospital CDs. We understand that particular awareness should be gained regarding the “special” risk of developing PUs run by some patients with special circumstances when attending these departments, which is why comprehensive care programs are needed to incorporate this problem; starting with the creation of specific admissions procedures which allow the reduction of the incidence rate of PUs in CDs as well as the communication between Critical Care and Emergency Units with other hospital units and care areas to let them become aware of their existence.

KEY WORDS

Pressure ulcer, casualty departments, critical care.

Vol. 15 nº2-2004