Image of male nurse pushing senior woman in a wheelchair in nursing facility

Updated guidelines on preventing and managing pressure ulcers are now available for use.

The chief recommendations for preventing pressure ulcers include assessing and documenting pressure ulcer risk for all patients entering long-term care as well as developing an individualized care plan for all patients at risk for developing an ulcer.

The guidance, summarized in an article in the April issue of The Journal of Wound Care, comes from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

“Pressure ulcers are common in all settings where healthcare is provided, and represent a significant clinical and financial burden,” the authors say, adding current practice around pressure ulcers continues to be “irregular, poorly documented and lacking a standardized approach.”

The guidelines also promote additional training for professionals on pressure ulcer prevention and training.