MDS Alert

RISK MANAGEMENT:

18 Risk Factors That Could Make or Break Your Pressure Ulcer Prevention Efforts

Do a careful assessment to see if  a resident has any of the following risk factors for skin breakdown, advises Jenny Hurlow, GNP, CWOCN, a geriatric nurse practitioner and wound care specialist in Memphis, Tenn.

• Incontinence

• Weight loss

• Impaired ability to perform late-loss activities of daily living  (ADLs), including ability to feed self

• ADL decline

• Impaired cognitive functioning, especially a decline

• Impaired ambulation

• Depression indicators

• Sedatives (anti-anxiety

agents), hypnotics, antipsychotics • Fluid/hydration deficit

• Decrease in meal intake or poor intake

• Nutritional problems

• Oral health problems (could reduce intake)

• Physical restraints

• End-stage disease

• Unstable conditions

• Pain

• Previously healed pressure ulcer

Certain comorbid conditions. Hurlow urges paying attention "to  any comorbid condition that affects mobility, perfusion, and sensation."

Research: A recently published study found that elderly nursing home patients with non-blanchable erythema (stage 1 pressure ulcers) who have hypotension, contractures, or a history of stroke require more "intensive" efforts to prevent pressure ulcers (Vanderwee K et al. Journal of Clinical Nursing. Vol. 18, No. 21, November 2009 at www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/jcn/2009/00000018/00000021/art00014).

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