Assessing the risk of pressure ulcer development.

摘要

Assessing patients in all care settings for their risk of pressure ulcer development has become the foundation on which appropriate clinical interventions should be based. This article will explore the current drivers and guidance for conducting pressure ulcer risk assessment and the practical issues and problems surrounding best practice. It will define 'risk' in relation to pressure ulcer development, identify the purpose and benefits of using a pressure ulcer risk assessment scale, discuss evaluating pressure ulcer risk, identify some of the interventions that can be implemented based on the patient's risk assessment score, and examine nurses' professional responsibility for the safety of patients.