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Prevention of Pressure Ulcers

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Pressure Ulcers in the Aging Population

Part of the book series: Aging Medicine ((AGME,volume 1))

Abstract

Pressure ulcers (PU) cause significant morbidity in the frail elderly and neurologically impaired individuals. The cost of care may exceed $70,000 and treatment in the USA is estimated at $1.1 billion annually. New products and support surfaces are continually entering the marketplace. There has been heightened awareness of the problem and many evidence-based guidelines have been disseminated over the last decade. In spite of this there has been not been a dramatic decline in PU incidence worldwide.

Experts agree that not all PUs are avoidable. There are occasions when an ulcer develops in the face of good care. This chapter outlines the best practices for risk assessment and prevention. The tools and practices discussed can be applied to all care settings with the goal to reduce the incidence and, thereby, the prevalence of PUs.

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Other Useful Pressure Ulcer Prevention Resources

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Atlanta VA Medical Center/Emory University, 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA, 30075, USA

    Kim W. House M.D., C.M.D.

  2. Department of Medicine, Atlanta VA Medical Center/Emory University, 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA, 30033, USA

    Theodore M. Johnson M.D., M.P.H.

Authors
  1. Kim W. House M.D., C.M.D.
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  2. Theodore M. Johnson M.D., M.P.H.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kim W. House M.D., C.M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA

    David R. Thomas, MD

  2. Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care, Wound Care Consultant, Hospice Care of South Carolina, Johns Island, South Carolina, USA

    Gregory A. Compton, MD

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House, K.W., Johnson, T.M. (2014). Prevention of Pressure Ulcers. In: Thomas, MD, D., Compton, MD, G. (eds) Pressure Ulcers in the Aging Population. Aging Medicine, vol 1. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-700-6_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-700-6_3

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-699-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-700-6

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