Pressure ulcers are defined as localized areas of tissue destruction that develop when soft tissue is compressed between a bony prominence and an external surface for a prolonged period of time. Pressure ulcers are then staged to classify the degree of tissue damage observed. (1) The development of pressure ulcers in children has been less studied compared to adults. Little research has been conducted to determine prevalence, incidence, and risk factors associated with pressure ulcers in infants or children. (2).  The goal of this 5 Million Lives campaign intervention is to prevent hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in pediatric patients by reliably implementing the six components of care recommended in the Pressure Ulcers How-to-Guide.

(1)Pressure Ulcers in Adults: Prediction and Prevention. Clinical Practice Guideline Number 3. AHCPR  Publication No. 92-0047. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; May 1992.

2) Gray M. Which Pressure Ulcer Risk Scales Are Valid and Reliable in a Pediatric Population? J WOCN.  2004; 31: 157-160.

Join the Pediatric Affinity Group for the September 5th webcast of Preventing Pressure Ulcers.

Speakers:

• Doris Hanna, Ph.D., MSN, Director, NICHQ
• Carrie Silver, Performance Improvement Consultant, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Click here to register today!

For a full schedule of the 2007 Pediatric Webcast Series, please click here.