Pressure Sore Identification and Prevention in Emergency Departments

This report focuses on pressure sore identification and prevention within emergency departments. It addresses the prevalence of pressure injuries, commonly known as pressure sores, among immobile patients, particularly the elderly and those confined to beds or wheelchairs. The report highlights the importance of early identification through skin discoloration and tissue damage, while emphasizing preventative measures such as skin care, dietary adjustments, support devices, and postural changes. It justifies the need for nurses to be knowledgeable in this area due to the potential for complications like infections and sepsis. The report also acknowledges potential risk factors such as malnutrition, obesity, and circulation disorders and cites relevant literature to support its findings and recommendations.

Running head: PRESSURE SORES
Nursing Assignment
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1PRESSURE SORES
Project topic
Pressure injury identification and prevention: Pressure injury are commonly called as
pressure sores. Pressure sores are the regions on the skin that get damaged due to constant
friction or pressure in emergency departments. Pressure sores develop in persons who lack
mobility like the older patients, patients who are confined to chair, also the bed ridden patients in
the emergency departments. The other names of the pressure sores are pressure ulcers, bed sores
and decubitus ulcers (Cushing and Phillips 2013). The regions of the skin that has bones
underneath, like the elbows, heels, back of head, tailbone are the major areas of the patient that
get affected in the emergency department. These regions do not receive the adequate amount of
blood flow, that is why such regions develop the sores or injuries. There are several ways to
identify pressure injuries in an emergency department. The skin that gets affected by pressure
shows discoloration usually in blue, purple color, skin loss from the affected area develop a
patch of dead cells. Prevention of the pressure injury in an emergency department is the prime
motive of my work. Hence, devising a plan includes the identification of the pressure injuries
and its effective prevention. The plan in involves everyday skin care, change in diet plans,
providing support devices, and changing lying or sitting posture in an emergency department
(Ausili et al. 2013).
Project idea justification (Mini)
Pressure injuries are common in old patients who are either bed ridden or confined to
wheel chair in the emergency departments. Such patients or the old people that are affected by
the pressure injuries are incapable of taking their own care. That is why knowledge of identifying
and prevention of the pressure injuries need to be developed among the nurses so that pressure
injuries in the emergency departments can be identified well before they develop (Bogie, Powell

2PRESSURE SORES
and Ho 2012). Pressure injury has certain complication that if left untreated can lead several
worsening medical conditions in the emergency departments. Implications like cancer due to
squamous cell carcinoma, joint and bone infections, pus collection in the dead cells,
inflammation of the tissues, and even sepsis can develop within the patients that are affected by
the pressure injuries in emergency departments. According to Bulfone et al. (2012), the patients
in the emergency department often experience pressure injuries because patients lie on the for
longer periods without changing sides. Hence, there are chances where they might develop
pressure injuries on the elbow and back.
Question that may arise
The major risk factor that can arise in this project are the malnutrition, obesity, blood
circulation disorders, smoking, paralysis and immobilization. Hence, failure to deal with these
situation or occurrences in the emergency department can lead to increased incidence of pressure
injuries and can be fatal for the patients.

3PRESSURE SORES
References
Ausili, E., Paolucci, V., Triarico, S., Maestrini, C., Murolo, D., Focarelli, B. and Rendeli,
C.L.A.U.D.I.A., 2013. Treatment of pressure sores in spina bifida patients with calcium alginate
and foam dressings. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 17(12), pp.1642-7.
Bogie, K., Powell, H.L. and Ho, C.H., 2012. New concepts in the prevention of pressure
sores. Handb Clin Neurol, 109, pp.235-246.
Bulfone, G., Marzoli, I., Quattrin, R., Fabbro, C. and Palese, A., 2012. A longitudinal study of
the incidence of pressure sores and the associated risks and strategies adopted in Italian operating
theatres. Journal of perioperative practice, 22(2), pp.50-56.
Cushing, C.A. and Phillips, L.G., 2013. Evidence-based medicine: pressure sores. Plastic and
reconstructive surgery, 132(6), pp.1720-1732.