Pressure Ulcer Management

By Susan Yap, PT

Anatomy of the Skin

Epidermis Dermis Subcutaneous Tissue Fascia Muscle Tendon and Bone

Functions of the Skin

Protection Regulates Body Temperature Sensation

Effects of Aging on Skin

Dehydration Reduced Subcutaneous Fat Decreased Vascularization Decreased Elasticity

Physiology of Wound Healing

Healing by primary intention- wound edges are brought together and sutured

Healing by secondary intention- wound edges are not brought together and must heal by granulation, contraction and epithelialization

Phases of Wound Healing

1. Inflammatory Phase Acute Phase = Vasoconstriction and clot formation Followed by demolition phase Chronic inflammation results in wound is overwhelmed by necrotic tissue Characteristics: Edema, Erythema, Pain, Necrotic tissue and Exudate

2. Proliferative Phase Granulation Tissue fills wound bed Angiogenesis Epidermal cells migrate across granulation tissue Contraction of wound edges Characteristics: Deep red granulation tissue, Transudate, Epithelialization

occurring

3. Maturation Phase Increase in tensile strength through collagen synthesis Resulting scar tissue 70-80% as strong as original skin Characteristics: Decrease vascularization, Increase tensile strength,

Decrease size of scar

Pressure Ulcer

Any lesion cause by unrelieved pressure resulting in damage of underlying tissue ; usually over a bony prominence.

Risk Assessment Impaired circulation Impaired Mobility Predisposing Illness or medication that

impair healing Decrease mental status Incontinence Nutritional deficits Patients with existing pressure ulcer Non compliance

Early Intervention

Team Effort Address functional mobility and

ROM Continence training Education Positioning Pressure relieving/reducing devices

Mechanical Loading and Support Surfaces Bed bound Chair bound Avoid positioning directly on the

trochanters Positioning devices to relieve all pressure

from the heels and to prevent direct contact to bony prominences

Prevent sheer injury Ring cushions should be avoided Support surfaces

Initial Evaluation

Holistic approach Functional mobility and ROM Nutritional status Pain level Psychosocial health Common complications of pressure

ulcer

Wound Assessment

Etiology Location Size

Pressure Ulcer Stage I - Red non-blanchable Stage II - Partial thickness skin loss Stage III – Full thickness skin loss

involving underlying subcutaneous tissue

Stage IV – Full thickness skin loss with extensive destruction damage to muscle bone

Stage I

Stage II

Stage III

Stage IV

Viable Tissue

Granulation Epithelialization

Necrotic/Nonviable Tissue

Eschar Slough

Drainage/Exudate

Amount Transudate/serous Purulent

Odor

Describe Intensity Result of autolytic debridement or

dressing

Developing Goals

Process Oriented Measurable Time Oriented

Debridement

Mechanical Sharp Enzymatic Autolytic

Dressings

Cardinal rule keep ulcer tissue moist Eliminate dead space by loosely

packing Control exudate Cost effective Time effective Location of wound

Things to remember Communication

with Physicians Documentation Risk Management Education Quality

Improvement

Thank You

Email : susan_yap@hchd.tmc.edu