Pressure Injuries (Pressure Ulcers) and Wound Care
The Medscape overview on Pressure Injuries (Pressure Ulcers) delivers a thorough guide to classification, risk assessment, pathophysiology, and management strategies for these commonly encountered chronic wounds. These injuries result from prolonged pressure and shear forces, often affecting patients with limited mobility in hospitals, long-term care, and home settings.
Clinical Highlights:
- Classification: Staged from I to IV based on tissue damage depth, with additional categories for unstageable wounds and deep tissue pressure injuries (DTPI).
- Risk Factors: Include immobility, poor nutrition, incontinence, neurological deficits, and comorbidities such as diabetes and vascular disease.
- Prevention: Centers on frequent repositioning, pressure redistribution surfaces, nutritional support, and skin care protocols to mitigate moisture and friction.
- Treatment: Involves debridement (surgical, enzymatic, or autolytic), infection control, appropriate topical dressings, and addressing systemic health to support healing.
- Complications: May include osteomyelitis, sepsis, chronic pain, and diminished quality of life if inadequately managed.
Conclusion: Pressure injuries are preventable and treatable with proactive measures, interdisciplinary care, and evidence-based wound management. Early detection and intervention are critical to improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare burden.
Keywords: pressure injuries, pressure ulcers, wound care, debridement, risk assessment, prevention, chronic wounds