A pressure ulcer is an area of skin that breaks down when you stay in one position for too long without shifting your weight. This often happens if you use a wheelchair or you are bedridden, even for a short period of time (for example, after surgery or an injury). The constant pressure against the skin reduces the blood supply to that area, and the affected tissue dies.
A pressure ulcer starts as reddened skin but gets progressively worse, forming a blister, then an open sore, and finally a crater. The most common places for pressure ulcers are over bony prominences (bones close to the skin) like the elbow, heels, hips, ankles, shoulders, back, and the back of the head.
Alternative NamesBedsore; Decubitus ulcer
CausesThese factors increase the risk for pressure ulcers:
Pressure sores are categorized by severity, from Stage I (earliest signs) to Stage IV (worst):
Any new or changing pressure sore should be discussed with your doctor or nurse. Once a pressure ulcer is identified, steps must be taken immediately:
Contact your health care provider if an area of the skin blisters or forms an open sore. Contact the provider immediately if there are any signs of an infection. An infection can spread to the rest of the body and cause serious problems. Signs of an infected ulcer include:
Fever, weakness, and confusion are signs that the infection may have spread to the blood or elsewhere in the body.
PreventionIf bedridden or immobile due to diabetes, circulation problems, incontinence, or mental disabilities, you should be checked for pressure sores every day. You, or your caregiver, need to check your body from head to toe. Pay special attention to the areas where pressure ulcers often form. Look for reddened areas that, when pressed, do not turn white. Also look for blisters, sores, or craters. In addition, take the following steps:
Fonder MA, Lazarus GS, Cowan DA, Aronson-Cook B, Kohli AR, Mamelak AJ. Treating the chronic wound: a practical approach to the care of nonhealing wounds and wound care dressings. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58(2):185-206.
Bluestein D, Javaheri A. Pressure ulcers: prevention, evaluation, and management. Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(10):1186-1194.
A pressure ulcer is an area of skin that breaks down when something keeps rubbing or pressing against the skin.
Alternative NamesBedsore; Decubitus ulcer
CausesPressure on the skin reduces blood flow to the area. Without enough blood, the skin can die. An ulcer may form.
You are more likely to get a pressure ulcer if you:
Symptoms of a pressure ulcer are:
Pressure sores most commonly occur on the
Pressure sores are grouped by their severity. Stage I is the earliest stage. Stage IV is the worst.
If you have a pressure ulcer:
If the pressure ulcer changes or you get a new one, tell your doctor or nurse.
Do NotCall your doctor or nurse if you develop blisters or an open sore.
Call immediately if there are signs of infection. Signs include:
An infection can spread to the rest of the body and cause serious problems. Signs that the infection may have spread to the blood can include fever, weakness, and confusion.
PreventionIf you are on bedrest or cannot move because of a medical condition, someone should check you for pressure sores every day.
You or your caregiver should examine your body from head to toe. Pay special attention to the areas where pressure ulcers often form. Look for reddened areas that, when pressed, do not turn white. Also look for blisters, sores, or craters.
Take the following steps to prevent pressure ulcers:
Fonder MA, Lazarus GS, Cowan DA, Aronson-Cook B, Kohli AR, Mamelak AJ. Treating the chronic wound: a practical approach to the care of nonhealing wounds and wound care dressings. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58(2):185-206.
Bluestein D, Javaheri A. Pressure ulcers: prevention, evaluation, and management. Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(10):1186-1194.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/22/2011
Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
They are often called "pressure sores" or "pressure ulcers," and their medical name is "decubitus ulcers."
An ischial ulcer is a medical condition (disease)that requires an ICD-9 code; not a CPT code, which is used for medical procedures.707.04 (pressure ulcer, hip)707.20 (pressure ulcer, unspecified stage) ** An additional code is required to identify the stage of the pressure ulcer (707.20-707.25).
Decubitus ulcer, pressure ulcermucous
pressure ulcer
it prevent pressure ulcer
A reddened area on the skin that, when pressed, does not turn white. This is a sign that a pressure ulcer is starting to develop.
rednes in the affected area
impaired skin/tissue integrity r/t pressure ulcer
Judy A. Waterlow has written: 'Pressure ulcer prevention manual' 'Pressure sores'
yes
Decubitus ulcer
The Branden scale is a medicalol or method developed in the late 1987 by Barbara Braden and Nancy Bergstram. It is used to predict pressure, ulcer or sore risk in a patient. It is used to implement pressure ulcer prevention.