Wound Care Nurse Response Paper

In their article published in the June, 2012 issue of Critical Care Nurse, authors Estilo, Angeles, Perez, Hernadez, and Valdez discuss the issue of pressure ulcers on patients in intensive care units. These patients are high risk for pressure ulcers for several reasons. They usually are unable to turn themselves from back to side to relieve pressure on bony areas of the back such as the tailbone. If caregivers do not turn the patient properly, friction and shearing can occur which can lead to pressure ulcers. Medications could interfere with circulation that supplies oxygen to the skin to keep it healthy. Most patients lose weight while in intensive care, causing bones to be more prominent. Failure of caretakers to keep patients clean and dry from incontinence can also contribute to pressure ulcers.
They advocate doing an assessment as soon as possible after admission of a patients to ICU. They recommend monitoring on a scheduled basis and interventions. These interventions include turning the patient on a schedule, protective moisture barriers, skin protectants, proper elevation of head of bed, and beds with mattresses that allow adequate blood flow needed for circulation. If a pressure ulcer develops even with these efforts, a wound care nurse is called in right away. The integumentary system has not been considered a priority in the care of critically ill patients according to the authors, but they are trying to change