According to David Fleming, MD, president of ACP, up to $11 billion is spent each year in the U.S. to treat bedsores. “ACP’s evidence-based recommendations can help physicians provide quality care to patients while avoiding wasteful practices,” he said.
The following are select recommendations pulled from ACP’s new guidelines.
Prevention
- Perform a risk assessment to find patients who are at risk of developing pressure ulcers
- Use advanced static mattresses or advanced static overlays for patients who have an increased risk of bedsore development
- Do not use alternating-air mattresses or alternating-air overlays for patients at increased risk for pressure ulcers because the evidence doesn’t show a clear benefit
Treatment
- Use protein or amino acid supplements to reduce wound size
- Use hydrocolloid or foam dressings to reduce wound size
- Use electrical stimulation as adjunctive therapy to accelerate wound healing
See the full recommendations on prevention here, and on treatment here.
More articles on pressure ulcers:
Oral supplements help heal bedsores, study shows
Prevention bundle led to sustainable low pressure ulcer rates: Study
AHRQ’s on-time pressure ulcer prevention program found effective
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