Prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.

The prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers continues to present a challenge across acute and long-term care settings, and costs the NHS up to pound2.64 billion annually. As well as causing a reduced quality of life for sufferers, they can prove to be fatal. The complexity of the exact causes of skin breakdown and accurate risk assessment has proved problematic to fully understanding this common nursing problem, yet despite limited evidence clear guidelines on best practice exist, suggesting that prevention strategies should encompass interventions in three areas: risk assessment; relief of pressure, and education. Evidence exists that where these strategies are adopted at an organizational level, and strong leadership provided, the outcomes can be remarkable. This article outlines effective prevention and risk-reduction strategies, together with interventions that can promote healing.