Pressure Injury Prevention

For this month's WoundSource Practice Accelerator series, we are providing education on a variety of topics related to the prevention and management of pressure injuries. Scroll below to read this month's white paper and articles, to print out our quick fact sheet, and to sign up for this month's webinar.

Upcoming Webinar

Protocols for Preventing Intraoperative Pressure Injuries

Monday, November 27

Lilibeth T. Acero, RN, DAPWCA

Objectives:

Explores causes for intraoperative pressure injuries
Reviews protocols for intraoperative pressure injury prevention
Live Q&A and Discussion

White Paper

Device-Related and Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries: Reviewing the Evidence

Device-related and hospital-acquired pressure injuries complicate patient care, increasing hospital stays and patient mortality. With a growing amount of literature being published regarding prevention and management of these injuries, it can be difficult for wound care professionals to stay on top of evidence-based best practices. This white paper reviews literature and guides regarding the care of device-related and hospital-acquired pressure injuries published between 2019-2023....

Fact Sheet

Quick Facts - Pressure Injury Prevention 2023

Patients with multiple comorbidities, advanced age, and limited mobility are at risk for pressure injuries. Within a hospital or ICU setting, these injuries can further complicate care, delay healing, increase the cost of care, and even lead to litigation. Device-related pressure injuries such as those of the mucosal membrane may require differing assessments and protocols than pressure injuries which occur at the sacrum or lower extremities due to differences in affected tissue. For these reaso...

Featured Articles

Mucosal Membrane Pressure Injuries

Mucosal membrane pressure injuries are device-related pressure injuries (DRPI) of the mucous membrane. These hospital-acquired injuries are generally considered preventable....

Tips for Overcoming Offloading Challenges

Offloading is a cornerstone of pressure injury (PI) prevention. Certain patient populations, conditions, and environmental or institutional factors pose challenges to effective offloading that providers must mitigate to prevent PIs. It is important to note that these challenges often overlap with ot...

Conducting a Biomechanical Exam As Part of Pressure Injury Prevention

Pressure injuries (PIs) often result from sustained pressure and shear on skin and local tissue. As a result, patient position, posture, and load bearing are integral factors to consider to alleviate such forces. A better understanding of the biomechanics of these factors may assist clinicians and s...

Understanding and Preventing Medical Device-Related Pressure Injury

In this interview, Kelly McFee, DNP, FNP-C, CWS, CWCN-AP, FACCWS, DAPWCA discusses what equipment may cause device-related pressure injury (DRPI), primary factors for DRPI development, prevention methods, assessment tips, and other tools and strategies clinicians can employ in their practice. ...

How Much Do You Know About Pressure Injury Prevention

Important Terms to Know

Important Terms to Know: Pressure Injury Prevention

Alternating pressure: In support surfaces, pressure redistribution with cyclic changes. Avoidable pressure injury: The development of a new pressure injury or the worsening of an existing one that results from a failure of the facility or caregivers to adequately identify, prevent, or manage the patient using an acceptable care standard. Cushions and seating: Powered or nonpowered devices placed on a wheelchair or other seating surface. They utilize air, fluid, foam, gel, water, wool, or a combination of these components to distribute pressure and reduce friction and shear forces. Their design may improve patient positioning and provide lateral stability. They are available with antibacterial, waterproof, and antistatic covers indicated for patients who are chairbound and are at risk for pressure injuries or who have an existing wound.