Legal issues in the care of pressure ulcer patients: key concepts for health care providers: a consensus paper from the international expert wound care advisory panel.

摘要

Pressure ulcers are a significant problem across all health care settings in the United States. Annually, 2.5 million patients are treated in acute-care facilities for pressure ulcers. Patients with pressure ulcers are three times more likely to be discharged to a long-term care facility than those with other diagnoses. In addition, pressure ulcers are more likely to occur among those over age 65.Since the U.S. population aged 65 and older is expected to double within the next 25 years, the number of people with pressure ulcers probably will increase exponentially. By 2030, almost 1 of every 5 Americans-some 72 million people-will be 65 years or older. The age group 85 and older is now the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population.