Global Health
Misconceptions about pressure ulcers
25t The annual Clinical Symposium on Advances in Skin and Wound Care was held September 30 to October 2, 2010, in Orlando, Florida. This gathering of leading clinicians within the wound care field presents clinical skill-building sessions for those recent to wound care, in addition to advanced sessions for skilled clinicians and researchers. Some of the presentations addressed issues equivalent to inadequate education of family physicians and misconceptions which have a detrimental effect on patients, in addition to possible costly consequences, including reduced reimbursements and malpractice claims. Consider your personal work environment to explore whether these problems or misconceptions about pressure ulcers exist.
- Pressure ulcers can’t be graded in the other way.
- Not all pressure ulcers start from the surface and get deeper. Pressure ulcers might be attributable to deep tissue trauma and begin from the within out.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services doesn’t consider pressure ulcers to be “never” events because not all pressure ulcers are preventable.
- Pressure ulcer staging can’t be used for other forms of wounds.
Take steps to boost awareness by discussing these issues in journal clubs, inviting a wound care specialist in your organization to steer training sessions, and implementing appropriate clinical practice guidelines. For more information on this topic and academic materials, visit the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel website at http://npuap.org/.