Treatment Of Pressure Ulcers Research Articles

Effects of shaped soft silicone foam dressing on prevention of pressure ulcer in spine surgery

Objective To investigate the effects of soft silicone foam dressing on the prevention of intraoperative pressure ulcer in patients undergoing spine surgery. Methods A total of 232 patients were divided into control group and experimental group (116 cases each group) by coin slot method. The control group was treated with conventional pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. The experimental group was treated with conventional intervention measures. Soft silicone foam dressing paste use, the end of surgery to observe the two groups of patients under the chin skin condition. Results In the control group, there were 10 cases at stage I in the lower part of the skin, and 5 cases (4 cases of skin blisters and 1 case of partial cortical absence) at stage Ⅱ. 2 cases in the experimental group were at stage I; no cases were at stage Ⅱ, the two groups were no stage Ⅲ and above pressure ulcer occurred in the experimental group under the chin pressure ulcer was significantly lower than the control group, The difference was statistically significant (χ2=10.727, P<0.05). Conclusion Conventional pressure ulcer prevention and control interventions combined with shaped soft silicone foam dressing for skin protection of special parts of chin under prone position surgery is beneficial to prevention of intraoperative pressure ulcers. Key words: Pressure ulcer; Prevention; Prone position; Shaped soft silicone foam dressing

Mango cut incision for pressure ulcer necrotic tissue clearance: An easier and safer method to facilitate chemical debridement in severely-comorbid patients

Abstract Background Treatment of pressure ulcer with necrotic tissue formation is challenging in old patients with severe comorbidities. Although indicated and recommended, surgical debridement cannot always be applied because of general conditions. Simple, convenient, and minimally invasive intervention is required to facilitate chemical debridement of necrotic tissue. Methods Seventeen patients suffering from intractable pressure ulcer complicated with necrotic tissue formation underwent conventional debridement (CD) or mango cut incision (MCI). Feasibility of MCI method was evaluated by comparing clinical outcomes between patients who underwent CD and MCI. Results Between patients undergoing CD and MCI, there was no significant difference in time for necrotic tissue clearance (3.1 ± 2.0 vs. 4.0 ± 1.5 weeks, P = 0.366), nor in time for pressure ulcer cure (14.7 ± 6.2 vs. 12.7 ± 5.6 weeks, P = 0.566). Time required for intervention was significantly longer in CD than that in MCI (173.8 ± 44.5 vs. 29.4 ± 13.3 s, P Conclusions MCI allows minimally invasive clearance of necrotic tissue with clinically acceptable outcomes compatible to CD, and can be a choice of method for necrosis-complicated pressure ulcers in patients with severe comorbidities.

A monitoring sensor-based eHealth image system for pressure ulcer prevention

Health information systems use technologies in health care to improve the overall effectiveness of patient care and become important part in health care services. Among other diseases, pressure ulcers, a skin disease arise from prolonged exposure to high pressure points, is required to check patient’s body state and an electronic monitoring system enables to support constant body check with sharing accurate data with professionals. Although technological perspectives have advanced for better prevention of pressure ulcer, only few studies have reported experimental results and clinical responses on the preventive methods in terms of its effectiveness and comfort, and most preventive systems for pressure ulcer risk do not fulfill basic requirements such as sufficient reliability, unobtrusiveness, long-term usage and easy monitoring at various types of equipment. The purpose of this study is to examine a monitoring sensor-based eHealth image system to support pressure ulcer treatment and identify the effectiveness of the system presenting the system architecture. The result of this study would provide support and insight of using the eHealth monitoring system to professionals who need to manage and care of patients.

Moist exposed burn ointment for treating pressure ulcers: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background:Pressure ulcers often seriously affect the quality of life of patients. Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO) has been developed to treat patients with pressure ulcers. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MEBO in the treatment of pressure ulcers in Chinese patients.Methods:Seventy-two patients with pressure ulcers were randomly assigned to 2 groups who received a placebo or MEBO for 2 months. The primary outcomes included the wound surface area (WSA) and pressure ulcer scale for healing (PUSH) tool. The secondary outcomes included a visual analog scale (VAS), questionnaire of ulcer status, and adverse effects.Results:Sixty-seven patients completed the study. After 2 months of treatment, the difference of mean change from the baseline was greater for MEBO (vs placebo) for WSA mean (SD) −6.0 (−8.8, −3.3), PUSH Tool −2.6 (−4.7, −1.5), and VAS score −2.9 (−4.4, −1.7). On the basis of the questionnaire, the pressure ulcers were “completely healed” (50.0% vs 16.7%) (P < .05) in patients after 2 months of treatment with MEBO versus placebo. No major adverse effects were found in the 2 groups.Conclusion:We showed that MEBO is effective and well tolerated for improving wound healing in Chinese patients with pressure ulcers.

Predictive models for pressure ulcers from intensive care unit electronic health records using Bayesian networks

BackgroundWe develop predictive models enabling clinicians to better understand and explore patient clinical data along with risk factors for pressure ulcers in intensive care unit patients from electronic health record data. Identifying accurate risk factors of pressure ulcers is essential to determining appropriate prevention strategies; in this work we examine medication, diagnosis, and traditional Braden pressure ulcer assessment scale measurements as patient features. In order to predict pressure ulcer incidence and better understand the structure of related risk factors, we construct Bayesian networks from patient features. Bayesian network nodes (features) and edges (conditional dependencies) are simplified with statistical network techniques. Upon reviewing a network visualization of our model, our clinician collaborators were able to identify strong relationships between risk factors widely recognized as associated with pressure ulcers.MethodsWe present a three-stage framework for predictive analysis of patient clinical data: 1) Developing electronic health record feature extraction functions with assistance of clinicians, 2) simplifying features, and 3) building Bayesian network predictive models. We evaluate all combinations of Bayesian network models from different search algorithms, scoring functions, prior structure initializations, and sets of features.ResultsFrom the EHRs of 7,717 ICU patients, we construct Bayesian network predictive models from 86 medication, diagnosis, and Braden scale features. Our model not only identifies known and suspected high PU risk factors, but also substantially increases sensitivity of the prediction - nearly three times higher comparing to logistical regression models - without sacrificing the overall accuracy. We visualize a representative model with which our clinician collaborators identify strong relationships between risk factors widely recognized as associated with pressure ulcers.ConclusionsGiven the strong adverse effect of pressure ulcers on patients and the high cost for treating pressure ulcers, our Bayesian network based model provides a novel framework for significantly improving the sensitivity of the prediction model. Thus, when the model is deployed in a clinical setting, the caregivers can suitably respond to conditions likely associated with pressure ulcer incidence.

Importance of nutrition in preventing and treating pressure ulcers.

Pressure ulcers are painful, and affect patients' health, mobility and well-being. They also cost the NHS between £1.4-2.1 billion a year. Although a large proportion of pressure ulcers are avoidable, many still occur and, because pressure ulcer incidence is an indicator of care quality, it can put carers under scrutiny. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence states that adequate risk assessment of pressure ulcer development, including the role of malnutrition, improves care. Adequate nutrition is vital for the prevention of pressure ulcers and malnutrition can hinder healing when pressure ulcers have developed. The risk of malnutrition should be assessed with a recognised tool, such as the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, and appropriate treatment plans should be drawn up for patients identified as being at risk of malnutrition to improve their nutritional state. For example, the dietary intake of people with poor appetite can be supplemented with nutritious snacks between meals. The aims of this article are to help readers understand risk factors for malnutrition and how dietary intake can be manipulated to improve patients' nutritional state. It also aims to highlight how improving nutritional intake helps to prevent pressure ulcers. On completing the article, readers will be able to consider and review their own practice.

Dressings and topical agents for treating pressure ulcers.

Dressings and topical agents for treating pressure ulcers.

Anabolic steroids for treating pressure ulcers.

Pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores, pressure sores or decubitus ulcers develop as a result of a localised injury to the skin or underlying tissue, or both. The ulcers usually arise over a bony prominence, and are recognised as a common medical problem affecting people confined to a bed or wheelchair for long periods of time. Anabolic steroids are used as off-label drugs (drugs which are used without regulatory approval) and have been used as adjuvants to usual treatment with dressings, debridement, nutritional supplements, systemic antibiotics and antiseptics, which are considered to be supportive in healing of pressure ulcers. Anabolic steroids are considered because of their ability to stimulate protein synthesis and build muscle mass. Comprehensive evidence is required to facilitate decision making, regarding the benefits and harms of using anabolic steroids. To assess the effects of anabolic steroids for treating pressure ulcers. In March 2017 we searched the Cochrane Wounds Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); Ovid MEDLINE (including In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid Embase and EBSCO CINAHL Plus. We also searched clinical trials registries for ongoing and unpublished studies, and scanned reference lists of relevant included studies as well as reviews, meta-analyses and health technology reports to identify additional studies. There were no restrictions with respect to language, date of publication or study setting. Published or unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of anabolic steroids with alternative treatments or different types of anabolic steroids in the treatment of pressure ulcers. Two review authors independently carried out study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The review contains only one trial with a total of 212 participants, all with spinal cord injury and open pressure ulcers classed as stage III and IV. The participants were mainly male (98.2%, 106/108) with a mean age of 58.4 (standard deviation 10.4) years in the oxandrolone group and were all male (100%, 104/104) with a mean age of 57.3 (standard deviation 11.6) years in the placebo group. This trial compared oxandrolone (20 mg/day, administered orally) with a dose of placebo (an inactive substance consisting of 98% starch and 2% magnesium stearate) and reported data on complete healing of ulcers and adverse events. There was very low-certainty evidence on the relative effect of oxandrolone on complete ulcer healing at the end of a 24-week treatment period (risk ratio RR) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52 to 1.26) (downgraded twice for imprecision due to an extremely wide 95% CI, which spanned both benefit and harm, and once for indirectness, as the participants were mostly male spinal cord injury patients). Thus, we are uncertain whether oxandrolone improves or reduces the complete healing of pressure ulcers, as we assessed the certainty of the evidence as very low.There was low-certainty evidence on the risk of non-serious adverse events reported in participants treated with oxandrolone compared with placebo (RR 3.85, 95% CI 1.12 to 13.26) (downgraded once for imprecision and once for indirectness, as the participants were mostly male spinal cord injury patients). Thus, the treatment with oxandrolone may increase the risk of non-serious adverse events reported in participants.There was very low-certainty evidence on the risk of serious adverse events reported in participants treated with oxandrolone compared with placebo (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.17) (downgraded twice for imprecision due to an extremely wide 95% CI, which spanned both benefit and harm, and once for indirectness, as the participants were mostly male spinal cord injury patients). Of the five serious adverse events reported in the oxandrolone-treated group, none were classed by the trial teams as being related to treatment. We are uncertain whether oxandrolone increases or decreases the risk of serious adverse events as we assessed the certainty of the evidence as very low.Secondary outcomes such as pain, length of hospital stay, change in wound size or wound surface area, incidence of different type of infection, cost of treatment and quality of life were not reported in the included trial.Overall the evidence in this study was of very low quality (downgraded for imprecision and indirectness). This trial stopped early when the futility analysis (interim analysis) in the opinion of the study authors showed that oxandrolone had no benefit over placebo for improving ulcer healing. There is no high quality evidence to support the use of anabolic steroids in treating pressure ulcers.Further well-designed, multicenter trials, at low risk of bias, are necessary to assess the effect of anabolic steroids on treating pressure ulcers, but careful consideration of the current trial and its early termination are required when planning future research.

Investigation on the status of nurses' knowledge about Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Quick Reference Guide (2014)

Objective To understand the status of nurses' knowledge about Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Quick Reference Guide (2014). Methods Totally 378 nurses were investigated by a self-designed questionnaire about pressure prevention and treatment knowledge. Results The score of the questionnaire was 12-100 scores with average score (67.10±15.24) , and the average accuracy was 67.10%; there was no significant difference between nurses of different ages, working ages, education background, professional title or position (P>0.05); the accuracy 10 terms were lower than 60%. Conclusions Nurses' should be trained specifically and timely to update and improve their knowledge about pressure ulcers, and the corresponding training should be organized according to requirements. Key words: Nurses; Pressure ulcers; Knowledge; Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Quick Reference Guide

The Efficacy of Pressure Ulcer Treatment With Cathodal and Cathodal-Anodal High-Voltage Monophasic Pulsed Current: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Studies show that anode and cathode electrical stimulation (ES) promotes the healing of wounds, but specific protocols for both electrodes are not available. To compare the effectiveness of cathodal versus cathodal+anodal ES in the treatment of Category II-IV pressure ulcers (PrUs). Prospective, randomized, controlled, clinical study. Three nursing and care centers. Sixty-three participants with PrUs were randomly formed into a cathodal ES group (CG: N = 23; mean age of 79.35; SD 8.48), a cathodal+anodal ES group (CAG: N = 20; mean age of 79.65; SD 11.44) and a placebo ES group (PG: N = 20; mean age of 76.75; SD 12.24). All patients were treated with standard wound care and high-voltage monophasic pulsed current (HVMPC; twin-peak impulses; 154 μs; 100 pps; 0.25 A; 250 μC/s) for 50 minutes per day, 5 times a week, for 6 weeks. The CG, CAG, and PG received, respectively, cathodal, cathodal+anodal, and sham ES through electrodes placed on a moist gauze pad. The treatment electrode was placed on the wound, and the return electrode was positioned on healthy skin at least 20 cm from the PrU. Measurements were made at baseline, and after each of the 6 weeks of treatment. Primary outcome was percentage wound surface area reduction at week 6. Wound surface area decreased in the CG by 82.34% (95% confidence interval [CI] 70.06-94.63) and in the CAG by 70.77% (95% CI 53.51-88.04). These reductions were significantly greater than in the PG (40.53%; 95% CI 23.60-57.46). The CG and CAG were not statistically significantly different regarding treatment results. The time of treatment proved insufficient for PrUs to close. Cathodal and cathodal+anodal HVMPC similarly reduced the area of Category II-IV PrUs.

Research on the clinical effect of combined-style turn-over cushion to treat the pressure ulcers at stage II and III

Objective To explore the effect and role of the new combined turn pad and the traditional triangular turn pad for patients with pressure ulcers of stage II and III in the clinical application. Methods A total of 53 cases of eligible patients were divided into the control group and the experimental group according to the order of admission.There were 26 cases in the control group, with 30 pressure ulcers, who used the triangular turn pad.And there were 27 cases in the experimental group, with 30 pressure ulcers, who used the combined turn mat.The patients were turned over once per 2 hours, and the act was repeated for 15 days.Then the efficacy of the two groups of patients was compared. Results The difference in terms of the treatment efficiency rate between the experimental group and the control group were statistically significant (P<0.05). The difference in terms of time for curation between the experimental group and the control group were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Combined turn mat is shown significant curative effect for the treatment of pressure ulcers at stage II and III, which is a useful nursing instrument and is worthy of clinical popularization and application. Key words: Turn-over pad; Pressure sore; Curative effect

Comparative Effectiveness of Clostridial Collagenase Ointment to Medicinal Honey for Treatment of Pressure Ulcers.

Objective: Compare enzymatic debridement using clostridial collagenase ointment (CCO) with autolytic debridement using medicinal honey in the hospital outpatient setting for treating pressure ulcers (PUs).Approach: Retrospective deidentified electronic health records from 2007–2013 were extracted from the U.S. Wound Registry. Propensity score matching followed by multivariable analyses was used to adjust for selection bias and assess treatment effects comparing CCO-treated versus honey-treated PUs. Key outcomes included 100% granulation and epithelialization at 1 year.Results: Five hundred seventeen CCO-treated PUs (446 patients) were matched to corresponding honey-treated PUs (341 patients). The majority of PUs were stage III (CCO 56%, honey 55%). CCO users had significantly fewer total visits (9.1 vs. 12.6; p < 0.001), fewer total selective sharp debridements (2.7 vs. 4.4; p < 0.001), and fewer PUs receiving negative pressure wound therapy (29% vs. 38%; p = 0.002) compared with honey.Innovation: CCO-treated PUs were 38% more likely to achieve 100% granulation compared to honey-treated PUs at 1 year, p = 0.018. Mean days to 100% granulation were significantly lower for CCO-treated PUs (255 vs. 282 days, p < 0.001). CCO-treated PUs were 47% (p = 0.024) more likely to epithelialize at 1 year compared to PUs treated with honey. Mean days to epithelialization were significantly lower for PUs treated with CCO at 1 year (288 vs. 308 days; p = 0.011).Conclusion: All stages of PUs treated with CCO achieved faster rates of granulation and subsequent epithelialization compared to PUs treated with medicinal honey as measured by real-world data collected in the hospital outpatient department care setting.

Total thigh musculocutaneous flap in reconstruction of refractory pressure ulcers around hips in patients with spinal cord injury

To discuss the treatment of life-threatening refractory pressure ulcers around hips in patients with spinal cord injuries(SCI)and evaluate its clinical outcomes. From March 2012 to June 2015, eight paraplegic patients with life-threatening refractory pressure ulcers around hips were treated with total thigh musculocutaneous flaps following amputation of proximal femurs or hips, including 7 males and 1 female with an average age of (52.0±2.6) years old ranging from 35 to 68. The coures of disease was from 10 months to 7 years with a mean of(2.9±0.2) years. All the 8 patients had compound ulcers of more than two parts, 7 cases had hip infection on the same side. The area of superficial wounds ranged from 3.0 cm×3.0 cm to 12.0 cm×15.0 cm. The clinical effects were evaluated according to infection controlling, wound healing, improving of nutrition and life quality of patients. All patient were followed up for 3 months to 2 years with an average of 1.3 years. All flaps survived, 5 cases obtained wound healing at one-stage, 2 cases had wound dehiscence and the wounds were closed after a second operation, 1 case had partial flap necrosis which was healed by dressing change, 1 case had urethral injury that was repaired in operation. All wounds were cured successfully without infection and ulcer recurrence during the follow-up period. The nutrition and quality of life of all cases improved observably after operation. The total thigh musculocutaneous flap is effective to reconstruct the refractory pressure ulcers around hip of patient with SCI. It can rescue life at the cost of losing one lower limb. It is an operation of last resort for the patients.

Preventing and treating pressure ulcers: evidence review.

Preventing and treating pressure ulcers: evidence review.

Improving Pressure Ulcer Reconstruction: Our Protocol and the COP (Cone of Pressure) Flap.

Background:Surgical treatment of pressure ulcers is challenging for high recurrence rates. Deepithelialized flaps have been used previously with the aim to eliminate shearing forces and the cone of pressure (COP) effect. The goal of this study is to adopt a standardized protocol and evaluate if 2 different flap techniques affect outcomes.Methods:The novel COP flap is illustrated. Twenty patients were prospectively treated with flap coverage over a 36-month period. According to the flap type, patients were assigned to 2 groups: group 1 with 11 patients treated with the COP flap and group 2 with 9 patients treated with conventional flap without anchoring technique. We adopted a standardized protocol of debridement, tissue cultures, and negative-pressure wound therapy. Rotation fasciocutaneous flaps were used for both groups and mean follow-up was 19 months. The COP flap is a large deepithelialized rotation flap inset with transcutaneous nonabsorbable bolster sutures. The 2 groups were comparable for demographics and ulcer location and size (P < 0.05). Five patients showed positive cultures and were treated with antibiotics and negative-pressure therapy before surgery.Results:Recurrence rates were 12% in the COP flap group and 60% in the conventional flap coverage group (P < 0.001). Results were compared at 16-month follow-up.Conclusions:The COP flap significantly reduces recurrences and eliminates shearing forces, suture ripping, and tension on superficial soft-tissue layers. The technique can be applied to both ischial and sacral pressure sores. The flap provides padding over bony prominence without jeopardizing flap vascularity.

Topical phenytoin for treating pressure ulcers.

Pressure ulcers are common in clinical practice and pose a significant health problem worldwide. Apart from causing suffering to patients, they also result in longer hospital stays and increase the cost of health care. A variety of methods are used for treating pressure ulcers, including pressure relief, patient repositioning, biophysical strategies, nutritional supplementation, debridement, topical negative pressure, and local treatments including dressings, ointments and creams such as bacitracin, silver sulphadiazine, neomycin, and phenytoin. Phenytoin is a drug more commonly used in the treatment of epilepsy, but may play an important role in accelerating ulcer healing. To assess the effects of topical phenytoin on the rate of healing of pressure ulcers of any grade, in any care setting. In September 2016, we searched the following electronic databases to identify relevant randomized clinical trials: the Cochrane Wounds Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; the Cochrane Library); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Embase; and EBSCO CINAHL Plus. We handsearched conference proceedings from the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Wound Management Association and the Tissue Viability Society for all available years. We searched the references of the retrieved trials to identify further relevant trials. We also searched clinical trials registries to identify ongoing and unpublished studies. There were no restrictions with respect to language, date of publication or study setting. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) addressing the effects (both benefits and harms) of topical phenytoin on the healing of pressure ulcers of any grade compared with placebo or alternative treatments or no therapy, irrespective of blinding, language, and publication status. Two review authors independently selected studies, extracted information on participants, interventions, methods and results and assessed risk of bias using Cochrane methodological procedures. For dichotomous variables, we calculated the risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). For continuous variables, we calculated the mean difference with 95% CI. We rated the quality of the evidence by using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach (GRADE). Three small RCTs met our inclusion criteria and included a total of 148 participants. These compared three treatments with topical phenytoin: hydrocolloid dressings, triple antibiotic ointment and simple dressings. In the three RCTs, 79% of participants had grade II ulcers, and 21% of participants had grade I ulcers; no participants had grade III or IV ulcers. Two RCTs had a high risk of bias overall and the other RCT was at unclear risk of bias due to poor reporting. Two RCTs had three intervention arms and the other had two intervention arms.Two studies compared topical phenytoin with hydrocolloid dressing (84 participants analysed). The available data suggest that hydrocolloid dressings may improve ulcer healing compared to topical phenytoin (39.3% ulcers healed for phenytoin versus 71.4% ulcers healed for hydrocolloid dressings (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.92; 56 participants, 1 study; low quality evidence). We downgraded the evidence twice: once due to serious limitations (high risk of bias) and once due to the small sample size and small number of events. Two studies compared topical phenytoin with simple dressings (81 participants analysed). From the available data, we are uncertain whether topical phenytoin improves ulcer healing compared to simple dressings (39.3% ulcers healed for phenytoin versus 29.6% ulcers healed for the simple dressing (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.63 to 2.78; 55 participants, 1 study; very low quality evidence). This evidence was downgraded once due to serious limitations (high risk of bias) and twice due to the low number of outcome events and resulting wide CI which included the possibility of both increased healing and reduced healing. We therefore considered it to be insufficient to determine the effect of topical phenytoin on ulcer healing. One study compared topical phenytoin with triple antibiotic ointment, however, none of the outcomes of interest to this review were reported. No adverse drug reactions or interactions were detected in any of the three RCTs. Minimal pain was reported in all groups in one trial that compared topical phenytoin with hydrocolloid dressings and triple antibiotic ointment. This review has considered the available evidence and the result shows that it is uncertain whether topical phenytoin improves ulcer healing for patients with grade I and II pressure ulcers. No adverse events were reported from three small trials and minimal pain was reported in one trial. Therefore, further rigorous, adequately powered RCTs examining the effects of topical phenytoin for treating pressure ulcers, and to report on adverse events, quality of life and costs are necessary.

Managing tissue viability issues in patients with cancer approaching the end of life.

This article provides an overview of tissue viability issues related to the care of patients with cancer who are approaching the end of life. Altered physiology as a result of various factors, including nutrition, medication and radiotherapy, is identified. The article discusses the presentation and treatment of cutaneous radiation injury, malignant wounds, pressure ulcers and Skin Changes At Life's End (SCALE), an acronym used to describe a set of clinical phenomena associated with skin changes in patients approaching the end of life, and makes recommendations for practice.

The 2014 International Pressure Ulcer Guideline: methods and development.

A discussion of the methodology used to develop the Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. (2014). International experts representing National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Paneland Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance developed the second edition of this clinical guideline. Discussion paper - methodology. A comprehensive search for papers published up to July 2013 was conducted in 11 databases and identified 4286 studies. After critical appraisal, 356 studies were included and assigned a level of evidence. Guideline recommendations provide guidance on best practice in pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. Understanding the development process of a guideline increases the meaningfulness of recommendations to clinicians. Five hundred and seventy five recommendations arose from the research and its interpretation. The body of evidence supporting each recommendation was assigned a strength of evidence. A strength of recommendation was assigned to recommendation statements using the GRADE system. Recommendations are primarily supported by a body of evidence rated as C (87% of recommendations), representing low quality and/or indirect evidence (30%) and expert opinion (57%). Two hundred and forty seven recommendations (43%) received a strong recommendation ('Do it'). Recommendations were developed with consideration to research of the highest methodological quality evidence and studies that add to clinical insight and provide guidance for areas of care where minimal research has been conducted. Recommendations in the guideline reflect best practice and should be implemented with consideration to local context and resources and the individual's preferences and needs.

60: EVIDENCE-BASED NURSING IN THE WOUND BED

Background and aims:Pressure sores are areas of tissue in the elderly or patients who can no independently change their situation happening pressure sores significant financial burden on health care systems...

Low-level laser therapy in the treatment of pressure ulcers: systematic review.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLT) in pressure ulcers (PU) in humans through a systematic review of randomized studies. The search includes the databases MEDLINE, PEDro, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Lilacs, as well a manual search until May, 2016. This included randomized clinical trials of LLT compared with other interventions, different types of LLT, LLT placebo, or control in the treatment of PU. The outcomes evaluated were the ulcer area, healing rate, and overall healing rate. The risk of bias was evaluated using the tool of the Cochrane Collaboration, and the results were analyzed descriptively. From the 386 articles identified, only four studies were included, with two LLT used with single wavelength (1: 904nm vs. control and 2: 940nm vs. 808nm vs. 658nm vs. placebo) and two LLT used to probe cluster. One study compared to different single wavelengths showed a significant 71% reduction of the PU and an improved healing rate in which 47% of PU healed completely after 1month of therapy with the use of LLT with a wavelength of 658nm compared with other lengths. The other analyzed wavelengths were not significant in the assessed outcomes. Significant results were observed in the use of LLT with a 658nm wavelength, and no evidence was found for use of wavelengths above that for the treatment of PU. Therefore, we also found no evidence in the laser used to probe the cluster.Registration number: CRD42016036648.