Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society
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J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs · Mar 2007
Controlled Clinical TrialEvaluation of a protocol for prevention of facility-acquired heel pressure ulcers.
We sought to determine whether identification of comorbidities (in addition to daily Braden scale assessment and early aggressive pressure reduction interventions) would impact the development of facility-acquired pressure ulcers (FAPU) of the heel. ⋯ A pressure ulcer prevention protocol that incorporated accurate assessment of risk factors (Braden Scale and comorbidities) with frequent documentation of heel skin integrity had a positive impact on the incidence of heel FAPU. In addition, early aggressive implementation of pressure-reducing and pressure-relieving devices was effective in reducing FAPU rates.