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

Skilled nursing providers now have an additional resource when it comes to treating pressure ulcers. 

New clinical practice guidelines on preventing and treating pressure ulcers and injuries related to the condition were released Wednesday by a broad, international network. They contain 114 evidence-based recommendations, 62 good practice statement and 20 quality indicators that all healthcare providers can use. 

A July study found that pressure ulcers and infection rates were high among residents discharged from hospitals and into skilled nursing facilities.

The guidelines were a collaboration between the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, the recently renamed National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, and the Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance. Advocates hope the release will help “improve care outcomes for individuals across all health settings,” said Keryln Carville, PPPIA President.

“The guideline bridges a critical gap by accelerating the translation of research into practice to improve patient outcomes,” added Janet Cuddigan, PhD, RN, president of NPIAP. 

The clinical guidelines are available for purchase here.